The treatment of rectal prolapse in children with phenol in almond oil injection

Comparison of 5% Phenol With Almond Oil Versus 15% Hypertonic Saline in Treatment of Pediatric Idiopathic Rectal Prolapse

Objective: The objective of the study was to compare the frequency of recurrence with 5% phenol in almond oil versus 15% hypertonic saline for pediatric idiopathic rectal prolapse.

Methodology: An open-label, randomized clinical trial was conducted at the Department of Paediatric Surgery, Services Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, over a period of one year from May 1, 2018 to April 30, 2019. Altogether, 120 patients with idiopathic rectal prolapse were included in this study. After obtaining approval from the hospital ethical committee, all patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were admitted to the pediatric surgery inpatient department of Services Hospital, Lahore. Patients were randomized into two groups with an equal number of candidates using the lottery method. Group A consisted of patients who were administered 5% phenol in almond oil and group B consisted of patients who were administered 15% hypertonic saline. All procedures were performed by a single surgical operating team to control bias. Patients were followed up for three months after surgery to note whether recurrence occurred or not.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 3.97 ± 2.68 years in group A and 2.87 ± 1.84 years in group B. Gender distribution showed male dominance (71.7% in group A and 73.3% in group B). Statistically significant difference was observed in terms of recurrence (50% in group A and 23.3% in group B) (p=0.002), while statistically insignificant differences were found in terms of postoperative faecal incontinence (2% in each group, p=0.6478) and anal stenosis (8% in group A and 2% in group B with p=0.2426).

Conclusion: Thus, 15% hypertonic saline was noted to be a more effective sclerosing agent than 5% phenol in almond oil in the management of idiopathic rectal prolapse in children. It was also found to have a statistically comparable rate of complications, including fecal incontinence and anal stenosis.

The Remission Effects of First Injection of Sclerotherapy for Pediatric Rectal Prolapse: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Pediatric rectal prolapse is a common issue in clinical practice. Among various managements, sclerotherapy is an important method to successfully treat pediatric rectal prolapse, especially for the first injection. The knowledge of the first injection of sclerotherapy can be revealed by a systemic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Methods

We performed a systematic search and a meta-analysis for the retrospective clinical studies of sclerotherapy in pediatric rectal prolapse. The comparison between remission and recurrence after the first injection of sclerotherapy was performed to find if the first injection of sclerotherapy can treat rectal prolapse completely. After a restricted selection, 17 studies involving 1,091 pediatric rectal prolapse subjects with sclerotherapy were enrolled in a variety of classifications of injection agents. The focused outcome was to check whether the first injection of sclerotherapy can achieve a remission status. The meta-analysis was performed by Review Manager 5.4.

Results

Among the subjects receiving sclerotherapy, the meta-analysis favors the remission status after receiving the first injection of sclerotherapy. The meta-analysis results showed significant remission tests for the overall effect and significant heterogeneities in odds ratio and the fixed-effects model. The significant therapeutic effects remained, however, even after testing in the relative risk and the random-effects model.

Conclusions

Despite significant heterogeneity and relatively low quality of evidence, the first injection of sclerotherapy may conceivably demonstrate therapeutic effects to help the patients of pediatric rectal prolapse achieve a remission status.

Almond oil: A comprehensive review of chemical composition, extraction methods, preservation conditions, potential health benefits, and safety

Almond oil, a rich source of macronutrients and micronutrients, is extracted for food flavorings and the cosmetics industry. In recent years, the need for high-quality and high-quantity production of almond oil for human consumption has been increased. The present review examines the chemical composition of almond oil, storage conditions, and clinical evidence supporting the health benefits of almond oil. From the reviewed studies, it appears that almond oil contains a significant proportion of poly and monounsaturated fatty acids, with oleic acid as the main compound, and an important amount of tocopherol and phytosterol content. Some variations in almond oil composition can be found depending on the kernel's origin and the extraction system used. Some new technologies such as ultrasonic-assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, subcritical fluid extraction, and salt-assisted aqueous extraction have emerged as the most promising extraction techniques that allow eco-friendly and effective recovery of almond oil. This safe oil was reported by several clinical studies to have potential roles in cardiovascular risk management, glucose homeostasis, oxidative stress reduction, neuroprotection, and many dermatologic and cosmetic applications. However, the anticarcinogenic and fertility benefits of almond oil have yet to be experimentally verified.

Surgical management of pediatric rectal prolapse: A survey of the American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA)

INTRODUCTION

Many management options exist for the treatment of refractory rectal prolapse (RP) in children. Our goal was to characterize current practice patterns among active members of APSA.

METHODS

A 23-item questionnaire assessed the management of full-thickness RP for healthy children who have failed medical management. The survey was approved by our IRB and by the APSA Outcomes committee.

RESULTS

236 surgeons participated. The respondents were geographically dispersed (44 states, 5 provinces). 32% of respondents had twenty or more years of clinical experience. 71% evaluated 1-5 RP patients in the last 2 years, while 5% evaluated >10. 71% performed 0-1 procedure (operation or local therapy [LT]) for RP over 2 years. 59% would treat a 2-year-old patient differently than a 6-year-old with the same presentation, and were more likely to offer up-front surgery to a 6-year-old (26% vs 15%, p = 0.04), less likely to continue medical management indefinitely (2% vs 7%, p=0.01), and more likely to perform resection with rectopexy (30% vs. 15%, p=0.01). 71% perform LT as an initial intervention: injection sclerotherapy (59%), anal encirclement (8%), and sclerotherapy + anal encirclement (5%). 70% consider LT a failure after 1-3 attempts. If LT fails, surgical management consists of transabdominal rectopexy (46%), perineal proctectomy or proctosigmoidectomy (22%), transabdominal sigmoidectomy + rectopexy (22%), and posterior sagittal rectopexy (9%).

CONCLUSIONS

There is wide variability in the surgical management of pediatric rectal prolapse. This suggests a need for development of processes to identify best practices and optimize outcomes for this condition.

A systematic review of management options in pediatric rectal prolapse

PURPOSE

Rectal prolapse is a relatively common condition in infants and young children with a multifactorial etiology. Despite its prevalence, there remains clinical equipoise with respect to secondary treatment in pediatric surgery literature. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate methods of secondary treatment currently used to treat rectal prolapse in children.

METHODS

We searched Pubmed, Medline, and Scopus with the terms "rectal prolapse" and "children" for papers published from 1990 to April 2017. Papers satisfying strict criteria were analyzed for patient demographics, intervention, efficacy, and complications. Procedures were grouped by like type. Pooled success rates were calculated.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven studies documenting 907 patients were included. Injection sclerotherapy had an overall initial success rate of 79.5%. Ethyl alcohol seemed the best sclerosing agent due to a high first-injection success rate, low complication rate, and ready accessibility. Several perineal repairs were found, with operative success rates ranging from 60.8%-100%. Laparoscopic rectopexy with mesh was the most commonly reported transabdominal procedure and had an overall success rate of 96.1%. Postoperative complications from all procedures were comparable.

CONCLUSION

Though many secondary treatment options have been reported for rectal prolapse, sclerotherapy and laparoscopic rectopexy predominate in contemporary literature and appear to have high success and low complication rates.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Sclerotherapy for rectal prolapse in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Sclerotherapy is a commonly utilized treatment for rectal prolapse in children. This study systematically evaluates the effectiveness and complications of various sclerosing agents in treating pediatric rectal prolapse.

METHODS

After protocol registration (CRD-42018088980), multiple databases were searched. Studies describing injection sclerotherapy for treatment of pediatric rectal prolapse were included, with screening and data abstraction duplicated. The methodological quality of included papers was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) score.

RESULTS

Nineteen studies were identified, published between 1970 and 2017. Most studies were single institution case series, with median "N" 57+/-88.9 and mean MINORS score of 0.51+/-0.17 (perfect score = 1). 1510 patients with a mean age of 4.5 years were accounted for: 36.2% female, most without comorbidities. Mean follow up length was 30 months. The most common sclerosing agent described was ethanol (45%), followed by phenol (33%). The mean number of treatments per patient was 1.1+/-0.34. The overall success rate after a single sclerotherapy treatment was 76.9%+/-8.8%. The overall complication rate was 14.4%+/-2%.

CONCLUSIONS

Injection sclerotherapy appears effective and low-risk in the treatment of pediatric rectal prolapse and should be considered before more invasive surgical options. The available evidence is of relatively poor quality, and prospective comparative investigations are warranted.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3 (meta-analysis of level 3 studies).

Transanal endorectal approach for the treatment of idiopathic rectal prolapse in children: Experience with the modified Delorme's procedure

BACKGROUND

Persistent or recurrent idiopathic rectal prolapse in children requires surgical intervention. Several techniques have been used to repair this problem. However, recurrence and complications continue to be a challenge in the management of this condition. Here we report our experience in using the modified Delorme's procedure to treat such patients.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective observational study of patients with idiopathic rectal prolapse who underwent the modified Delorme's procedure during 2013-2017. We analyzed the clinical characteristics of the patients and the recurrence and complication rates during a follow-up of 15-68 months.

RESULTS

We included 14 patients. The age at operation ranged from 2 to 17 years, and the length of the prolapse was 3-15 cm. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. All patients achieved postoperative fecal control, and there were no recurrences.

CONCLUSION

The modified Delorme's procedure was effective for the treatment of idiopathic rectal prolapse. There were no recurrences or complications. Because it is a perineal technique, the procedure avoids the risk of nerve injury that exists for transabdominal methods.

Sclerotherapy for the management of rectal prolapse in children

PURPOSE

Rectal prolapse is a commonly occurring and usually self-limited process in children. Surgical management is indicated for failures of conservative management. However, the optimal approach is unknown. The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of sclerotherapy for the management of rectal prolapse.

METHODS

This was a retrospective review of children <18years with rectal prolapse who underwent sclerotherapy, predominantly with peanut oil (91%), between 1998 and 2015. Patients with imperforate anus or cloaca abnormalities, Hirschprung disease, or prior pull-through procedures were excluded.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven patients were included with a median age of 4.9years (interquartile range (IQR) 3.2-9.2) and median follow-up of 52months (IQR 8-91). Twenty patients (n=20/57; 35%) recurred at a median of 1.6months (IQR 0.8-3.6). Only 3 patients experienced recurrence after 4months. Nine of the patients who recurred (n=9/20; 45%) were re-treated with sclerotherapy. This was successful in 5 patients (n=5/9; 56%). Two patients (n=2/20; 10%) experienced a mucosal recurrence which resolved with conservative management. Forty-four patients were thus cured with sclerotherapy alone (n=44/57; 77%). No patients undergoing sclerotherapy had an adverse event. Thirteen patients (n=13/20; 65%) underwent rectopexy after failing at least one treatment of sclerotherapy. Three of these patients (n=3/13; 23%) recurred following rectopexy and required an additional operation.

CONCLUSIONS

Injection sclerotherapy for children with rectal prolapse resulted in a durable cure of prolapse in most children. Patients who recur following sclerotherapy tend to recur within 4months. Another attempt at sclerotherapy following recurrence is reasonable and was successful half of the time. Sclerotherapy should be the preferred initial treatment for rectal prolapse in children and for the initial treatment of recurrence.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

TYPE OF STUDY

Treatment Study.

Successful treatment of recurrent rectal prolapse using three Thiersch sutures in children

Many techniques are described to manage recurrent rectal prolapse in children, including repeated Thiersch stitch, phenol injections, Delorme and Altemeier procedures, and rectopexy. We describe a case of successful treatment of rectal prolapse by placing three Thiersch sutures circumferentially along the anal canal--a simple and novel modification of a well-known procedure. An 8-year-old boy with full-thickness rectal prolapse was treated with laxatives to no avail. He was subsequently treated with phenol-in-almond-oil injection and insertion of a 1/0PDS Thiersch suture. The effects were temporary with recurrence 3 months later. A further phenol-in-almond-oil injection was given and a 1/0PDS Thiersch suture placed, and the patient was discharged on laxatives. Recurrence occurred again at 3 months. This was treated with three circumferential Thiersch sutures along the anal canal--one Prolene 2/0 and two 1/0PDS. There has been no recurrence at follow-up. Placement of three sequential Thiersch sutures along the rectum is effective in treating recurrent rectal prolapse and a good alternative to major rectopexy.

Combined aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid sclerosing therapy and anal encirclement using an elastic artificial ligament for rectal prolapse

BACKGROUND

Aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid is a sclerosant used for sclerosing therapy in the treatment of hemorrhoids, and a Leeds-Keio artificial ligament is a new anal-encircling material for the management of rectal prolapse.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical data and recurrence rates in patients with rectal prolapse undergoing combined aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid injection and anal encirclement using the Leeds-Keio artificial ligament.

DESIGN

This was a retrospective review of patients who underwent this procedure.

SETTINGS

This study was conducted at a community-based hospital within a specialized colorectal unit.

PATIENTS

A total of 23 patients (20 women; median age, 83 years) with full-thickness rectal prolapse underwent treatment between 2005 and 2010.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The main outcome measures were morbidity and recurrence rate.

RESULTS

The median duration of surgery was 36 minutes. Mean total injection dose of aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid was 30 mL. There were no postoperative deaths. Wound infection occurred in 2 patients (9%), and new or worsening symptoms of constipation after surgery occurred in 6 patients (26%). There were 3 recurrences at a median follow-up of 36 months (range, 7-86 months). Recurrence rate at 5 years was 14% (95% CI, 5%-35%).

LIMITATIONS

The limitations of this study include its retrospective nature, the potential for selection bias, and lack of a control group.

CONCLUSIONS

This procedure is quick and easy to perform, with no formidable morbidity, and the recurrence rate is reasonably low. Therefore, it seems to be a reasonable alternative for rectal prolapse in frail, elderly, and high-risk patients.

Comparative effects of different sclerosing agents used to treat rectal prolapse: an experimental study in rats

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Sclerosing agents injected into the rectal submucosal area produce an inflammatory response and scar that prevent rectal prolapse. This study aimed to investigate the histopathological changes following submucosal injection of different sclerosing agents in rats.

METHODS

Rats (n=35) were divided into control, sham, and five experimental groups, each treated with a different sclerosing agent: cow's milk, 30% saline solution, 30% dextrose solution, 70% ethyl alcohol, and 5% phenol in almond oil (PAO). All agents were injected into the submucosal area. After 4 weeks, all animals were sacrificed. Histopathological evaluation was performed according to a semi-quantitative fibrosis scoring system (grades 0 to 3), by using Masson trichrome and hematoxylin and eosin staining.

RESULTS

Histopathological changes in the 5% phenol in almond oil group were significantly different from other groups (p=0.0001). Prominent submucosal fibrosis (grade 3), lymphatic vascular dilation, foreign body reaction, and lipogranuloma were observed in the 5% PAO group (p=0.007). No significant histopathological differences were seen between the 30% saline, 30% dextrose, and 70% ethyl alcohol groups. Significantly increased mucosal fibroblast proliferation (grade 2) was seen in 60% rats of the 30% dextrose group (p=0.026). The cow's milk and ethyl alcohol groups had mucosal erosions and congestion (grade 1) which were significantly different from the control group (p=0.024). No statically significant difference was observed between the 30% saline group and the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study we showed that 5% PAO can induce some histopathological changes in the submucosal area that increase the mucosal tightness of the mucosa, which are necessary for the treatment of rectal prolapse.

Death following injection sclerotherapy due to phenol toxicity

Prolapse rectum (PR) or protrusion of the rectum beyond the anus occurs frequently in populations at both extremes of age. In the pediatric population, in developed countries, the commonest cause for PR is thought to be cystic fibrosis (CF). Treatment options for CF include conservative management, surgical resection and fixation, suturing, and injection sclerotherapy (IS). The last is considered an attractive treatment option because it is minimally invasive. In this case report, the authors present the details about a 2-year-old female child, with PR and CF, who died after IS, using phenol as the sclerotherapeutic agent. Autopsy findings and toxicology tests performed to establish phenol toxicity are documented. The available literature is reviewed. This case report underscores the risks of using phenol for IS and emphasizes the point that the procedure is not innocuous and an adverse outcome including fatality is a possibility.

Injection treatment of rectal prolapsed: current research status

Injection therapy is currently an important treatment choice for rectal prolapse. Frequently used drugs include alcohol, 50% glucose, phenol-almond oil, 5% sodium morrhuate, alum injection, peony-gallnut injection, and Xiaozhiling injection. Injection methods include rectal submucosal injection, perirectal injection, double-layer four-step injection, punctiform injection, columnar injection, and sector injection. Foreign scholars usually treat infants and patients with incomplete rectal prolapse by injection therapy, while domestic scholars often use this method to treat various kinds of rectal prolapse. Xiaozhiling injection is the most commonly used drug for rectal prolapse in China and is associated with a satisfactory short-term curative effect despite a low level of recurrence. Injection therapy has many advantages such as minimal invasiveness, low cost, good safety and efficacy, and simpleness, and is therefore a preferred treatment for rectal prolapse.

Common transperineal surgical options for rectal prolapse

Rectal prolapse is a troublesome anorectal disorder. Surgical procedures for rectal prolapse contain transabdominal and transperineal approaches. There are hundreds of transabdominal approaches currently available for treatment of rectal prolapse. In contrast, only tens of transperineal approaches available for the disease, such as Delorme procedure, Altemeier prodecure, Thiersch prodecure and Gant-Miwa prodecure. Procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids (PPH) represents the latest advance in transperineal treatment of rectal prolapse. Injection treatment is applied widely in China and has remarkable superiority. As each procedure has its strength and weakness, selection of appropriate procedure based on individual difference can greatly improve surgical outcome. Individualized diagnosis and treatment plan may represent a new direction for transperineal surgical treatment of rectal prolapse.

Treatment of rectal prolapse in children with cow milk injection sclerotherapy: 30-year experience

AIM: To evaluate the role and our experience of injection sclerotherapy with cow milk in the treatment of rectal prolapse in children.

METHODS: In the last 30 years (1976-2006) we made 100 injections of sclerotherapy with cow milk in 86 children. In this study we included children who failed to respond to conservative treatment and we perform operative treatment.

RESULTS: In our study we included 86 children and in all of the patients we perform cow milk injection sclerotherapy. In 95.3% (82 children) of patients sclerotherapy was successful. In 4 (4.7%) patients we had recurrent rectal prolapse where we performed operative treatment. Below 4 years we had 62 children (72%) and 24 older children (28%). In children who needed operative treatment we performed Thiersch operation and without any complications.

CONCLUSION: Injection sclerotherapy with cow milk for treatment rectal prolapse in children is a simple and effective treatment for rectal prolapse with minimal complications.