Molecular and clinical aspects of embryotoxicity induced by acetylcholinesterase inhibitors

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are widely used for a variety of medical, agricultural and public health purposes. Consequently, exposure is highly possible during lifetime. However, their systematic use raises concerns for the potential impact on the fetus and newborn since these substances may affect angiogenesis, the neonatal and maternal intensive care, neuroimmune function and response, mammary growth/lactation via cholinergic/non-cholinergic central and peripheral neuroendocrine pathways. New methodologies, neuroscientific technologies and research studies are needed to harness existing knowledge along with the proper management, availability for new acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, with stable pharmacodynamics and clinical outcomes.

Specific esophagogram to assess functional outcomes after Heller's myotomy and Dor's fundoplication for esophageal achalasia

Esophageal emptying assessed at the 'timed barium' esophagogram correlates well with symptomatic outcomes after pneumatic dilation for esophageal achalasia, although 30% of patients with satisfactory outcome exhibit partial improvement in emptying. The aim of the study was to investigate any correlation of esophageal emptying to symptomatic response after laparoscopic Heller's myotomy and Dor's fundoplication. 'Bread and barium' (transit time of a barium opaque bread bolus) and 'timed barium' (height of esophageal barium column 5 minutes after ingestion of 200-250 mL of barium suspension) esophagogram was used to assess esophageal emptying in 73 patients with esophageal achalasia before 1 and 5 years (31 cases) after laparoscopic myotomy and anterior fundoplication. Symptoms assessment was based to a specific score. At 1-year follow-up, excellent and good symptomatic results were obtained in 95% of the cases. Esophageal maximum diameter, esophageal transit time, and esophageal barium column were significantly correlated to each other and to symptom score postoperatively (P < 0.001). Complete and partial (<90% and 50-90% postoperative reduction in barium column, respectively) emptying was seen in 55% and 31% of patients with excellent result. Patients with a pseudodiverticulum postoperatively had a more delayed esophageal emptying than those without. Symptomatic outcome and esophageal emptying did not deteriorate at 5-year follow-up. Esophageal emptying assessed by 'barium and bread' and 'timed barium' esophagogram correlated well with symptomatic outcome after laparoscopic myotomy for esophageal achalasia. Complete symptomatic relief does not necessarily reflect complete esophageal emptying. Outcomes do not deteriorate by time. Because of wide availability, esophagogram can be applied in follow-up of postmyotomy patients in conjunction with symptomatic evaluation.

Simple suture or prosthesis hiatal closure in laparoscopic repair of paraesophageal hernia: a retrospective cohort study

Laparoscopic repair of paraesophageal hernia (PEH) involves removal of the hernia sac, cruroplasty, and fundoplication. Mesh application to cruroplasty seems to reduce hernia recurrence rate, but may be associated with dysphagia. The aim of the study was to review the clinical and laboratory outcomes of a series of patients with PEH after laparoscopic repair. Patients with PEH, who had laparoscopic repair and 1-year postoperative follow-up, were included in the study. Pre- and postoperative testing included symptom questionnaires, barium esophagogram, pH-monitoring, barium swallow testing. In the first half cases, suturing of large hernia gaps was reinforced with prosthesis (PR), whereas in the second half only suture cruroplasty (SC) was performed. Sixty-eight patients (36 male) with PEH were included in the study. There were no conversions to open. Postoperatively, dysphagia grading was significantly correlated to esophageal transit time (P < 0.001). There were seven recurrences; one paraesophageal and six wrap migrations. Also, four cases with stenosis were identified all in the PR group. Dysphagia was more common (P= 0.05) and esophageal transit more delayed (P= 0.034) after PR than after SC. Two revisions, one for esophageal stenosis and one for recurrent PEH, derived from the SC group. Reflux was more common after Toupet fundoplication than after Nissen fundoplication (NF) (P= 0.031) in patients with impaired esophageal motility. Laparoscopic repair of PEH with SC is associated with satisfactory clinical outcomes and low rate of wrap migration, at least similar to PR hiatal repair. NF is effective as an antireflux procedure in all cases.

Laparoscopic vs open approach for Nissen fundoplication. A comparative study

BACKGROUND

Several studies, most of them nonrandomized, have shown similar functional results for both laparoscopic and open Nissen fundoplication, the operation of choice for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

METHODS

A total of 106 patients with documented GERD were randomized to receive either a laparoscopic or an open Nissen fundoplication. Preoperative and postoperative investigations included clinical assessment, esophagogram, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, esophageal manometry, and 24-h ambulatory pHmetry.

RESULTS

Both approaches were successful in controlling reflux. There was an overall improvement in esophageal peristalsis and an increase in lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure in both groups. Open Nissen fundoplication was associated with a significantly increased rate of wound (p <0.001) and respiratory (p <0.05) complications. Hospitalization was also longer after the open technique (p <0.001). At 3-month follow-up, although the rate of postoperative dysphagia was similar for the two approaches, the open approach was associated with a significantly higher incidence of postprandial epigastric fullness (p <0.05) and bloating syndrome (p <0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The open and laparoscopic approaches for the Nissen fundoplication are equally effective in controlling GERD. The open approach is associated with a significantly higher rate of wound and respiratory complications and, at early stages, an increased rate of postprandial epigastric fullness and abdominal bloating. The dysphagia rate is similar with both methods.

Octreotide enhances the accelerating effect of erythromycin on gastric emptying in healthy subjects

BACKGROUND

Erythromycin exhibits gastrokinetic properties through cholinergic pathways. Reports regarding the action of octreotide on gastric emptying are conflicting.

AIM

: To assess: (i) the hypothesis that serotonin receptors are involved in the accelerating effect of erythromycin on gastric emptying; and (ii) any modification of the gastrokinetic action of erythromycin induced by octreotide.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Gastric emptying of a standard meal was estimated in 20 healthy subjects by scintigraphy on three different occasions in a double-blind, placebo-controlled manner and in random order: (i) after placebo; (ii) after 200 mg of intravenous erythromycin; and (iii) after 200 mg of intravenous erythromycin following pre-treatment with either 4 mg of intravenous ondansetron (10 subjects) or 50 micro g octreotide.

RESULTS

Erythromycin significantly accelerated gastric emptying in all subjects by abolishing the lag phase. Pre-treatment with ondansetron abolished the accelerating effect of erythromycin by restoring the emptying times to placebo levels. Octreotide significantly enhanced the accelerating effect of erythromycin by reducing both the lag and post-lag phases of gastric emptying.

CONCLUSIONS

Serotonin receptors are involved in the accelerating effect of erythromycin on gastric emptying. This effect seems to be enhanced by pre-treatment with octreotide, possibly as a result of the modification of the gastrointestinal hormonal environment.

Laparoscopic Heller cardiomyotomy and Dor fundoplication for esophageal achalasia: possible factors predicting outcome

HYPOTHESIS

Laparoscopic Heller myotomy with anterior hemifundoplication is the surgical procedure of choice for the treatment of esophageal achalasia. Specific factors, eg, severity of esophageal body deformity, might affect postoperative outcome.

DESIGN

Prospective case-control study.

SETTING

Academic referral center for gastrointestinal tract motility disorders.

PATIENTS

Twenty-nine patients with esophageal achalasia who underwent 1 to 3 sessions of failed pneumatic dilation each.

INTERVENTION

Laparoscopic Heller myotomy with anterior (Dor) hemifundoplication.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Preoperative and postoperative symptomatic evaluation, esophagoscopy, esophagography, stationary and ambulatory esophageal manometry, and pH monitoring.

RESULTS

Three patients had stage I disease, 10 had stage II, 12 had stage III, and 4 had stage IV at preoperative radiologic examination. At surgery, there were no conversions to open procedures, and 2 mucosal perforations were immediately identified and sutured. Good or excellent results were seen in 26 patients. All patients with stage I or II disease had excellent functional results. Of patients with stage III disease, results were excellent in 7, good in 4, and bad in 1. Of patients with stage IV disease, 2 had good results and 2 had bad results. After surgery, lower esophageal sphincter pressure was reduced significantly (from 46.1 +/- 12.1 to 5.4 +/- 1.8 mm Hg; P<.001), as was esophageal diameter (from 61 +/- 17 to 35 +/- 19 mm; P<.001) (data are given as mean +/- SD). However, an excellent result occurred only in patients with a postoperative esophageal diameter less than 40 mm.

CONCLUSION

Functional outcome of laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure for achalasia is related to the preoperative stage of the disease on the esophagogram and to the extent of reduction in esophageal width after surgery.

Laparoscopically assisted subtotal colectomy for slow-transit constipation

BACKGROUND

When medical therapy fails, slow-transit constipation (STC), a condition seen almost exclusively in women, can be treated surgically. The aim of this study was to describe our results with laparoscopically assisted subtotal colectomy (LASC) for STC.

METHODS

Over a 22-month period, four female patients underwent LASC with ileorectal anastomosis for STC at our hospital. The preoperative workup included clinical assessment, evacuation proctography, rectoanal manometry, and colonic transit measurement. Mobilization of the whole colon and ligation and division of colonic mesenteric vessels with preservation of the omentum were achieved laparoscopically. Through a small Pfannenstiel incision, the colon was removed from the abdomen, leaving a 15-cm rectal stump in situ. The rectal stump was fully mobilized posteriorly, a side-to-end ileorectal anastomosis was fashioned, and the rectal stump was fixed onto the presacral fascia with sutures.

RESULTS

The operating time ranged from 150 to 260 min and blood loss was minimal. There were no conversions to open surgery. The postoperative course was uneventful in all patients but one, a 47-year old woman who had transient severe abdominal distension, pain, and frequent small-volume bowel movements. All patients were discharged by the 4th to 10th postoperative day. At 9-month follow-up, all of our patients had normal anorectal function with two to four solid bowel movements per day.

CONCLUSION

Although it is a technically demanding procedure, laparoscopically assisted colectomy for slow-transit constipation, can be achieved safely.

Rectoanal motility in Crohn's disease patients

PURPOSE

It has been documented that Crohn's disease affects anorectal function when anorectal manifestations of the disease are present. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the presence of histologic lesions in rectal biopsy affected anorectal motility in patients with Crohn's disease but no evidence of macroscopic anorectal involvement.

METHODS

Forty-one patients with documented Crohn's disease were included in the study. Twenty-one of them had no endoscopic or histologic lesions in the rectum, and 20 patients had a positive histology for Crohn's disease on rectal biopsy, with or without macroscopic or endoscopic involvement of the anorectum. All patients underwent a standard anorectal manometry, with an eight-channel, water-perfused catheter.

RESULTS

Patients with positive rectal biopsy but no evidence of endoscopic rectal involvement had lower anal resting and squeeze pressures (76 +/- 16 standard deviation vs. 86 +/- 19 standard deviation P = 0.002; 152 +/- 56 standard deviation vs. 192 +/- 52 standard deviation P < 0.001, respectively), and a lower sphincter and high-pressure zone length (2.8 +/- 0.8 standard deviation vs. 3.2 +/- 0.8 standard deviation P = 0.006; 1.7 +/- 0.6 standard deviation vs. 2 +/- 0.6 standard deviation P = 0.005, respectively) compared with patients with negative rectal histology. Also, slow and ultra slow wave amplitude and ultra slow wave frequency were significantly lower (10 +/- 6 standard deviation vs. 13 +/- 7 standard deviation P = 0.04; 17 +/- 16 standard deviation vs. 34 +/- 24 SD P = 0.004; 0.9 +/- 0.8 standard deviation vs. 1.3 +/- 0.6 standard deviation P = 0.05, respectively), rectal sensation more affected, and rectal compliance significantly reduced (7.4 +/- 1 standard deviation vs. 11.1 +/- 2.2 standard deviation P<0.001) in the former group of patients. Simultaneous presence of endoscopic and histologic lesions in the rectum was associated with further impairment of the anorectal function.

CONCLUSION

Microscopic presence alone of Crohn's disease in the rectum appears to induce anorectal motility disorders. The synchronous presence of endoscopic rectal and macroscopic anal involvement is associated with further deterioration of anorectal function.

Treatment of unresectable malignant abdominal, pelvic and thoracic tumors using abdominal pelvic and thoracic stop-flow chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Stop-flow perfusion (SFP) has been recently used to enhance the effects of chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced tumors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Over a 2-year period we performed abdominal, pelvic and thoracic SFP in 12 patients with unresectable or metastatic tumors, using balloon catheters inserted into the abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava. Blood flow was occluded and hypoxic extracorporeal perfusion or SFP was performed for advanced diseases. The chemotherapeutic agents were directly administered into the aorta and/or inferior vena cava for thoracic SFP. The procedure was repeated in each patient, with one-month interval between sessions. Haemofiltration was also applied in two patients with generalized abdominal disease in order to reduce systemic toxicity.

RESULTS

At post-operative CT or MRI follow-up, tumor shrinkage of more than 50% was observed in six patients, while post-SFP chemotherapy surgical resection of the tumors became feasible in four cases. The relief of pain, wherever present, was dramatic in the immediate post-operative period. Overall clinical improvement was achieved in all 12 patients. Post-operative recovery was uneventful in all but two patients, who developed minor systemic toxicity.

CONCLUSION

SFP appears to be a safe technique with low morbidity which improves the quality of life of cancer patients and allows satisfactory control of locally advanced tumors and metastatic carcinomatosis.

Prospective randomized trial comparing Nissen to Nissen-Rossetti technique for laparoscopic fundoplication

BACKGROUND

It has been suggested that division of the short gastric vessels (SGV) provides a more floppy Nissen fundoplication, for the treatment of reflux disease. The aim of the study was to assess whether Nissen fundoplication with division of SGV is associated with improved clinical outcome and laboratory findings.

METHODS

Fifty-six consecutive patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were randomly assigned to have a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication either with division (24 patients; 15 men; mean age 51 +/- 15 years) or without division (32 patients; 23 men, mean age 47 +/- 14 years) of the SGV. Preoperative and postoperative investigation included clinical assessment, esophagoscopy, esophagogram, esophageal manometry, and 24-hour ambulatory esophageal pH monitoring.

RESULTS

Division of the SGV resulted in a significant increase of the operating time (P <0.0001). The operation abolished reflux in both groups. Also, both types of Nissen fundoplication significantly increased the amplitude of peristalsis at distal esophagus (division group: from 56 +/- 20 mm Hg to 64 +/- 25 mm Hg, P = 0.01; nondivision group: from 65 +/- 27 mm Hg to 75 +/- 26 mm Hg, P <0.001) and the lower esophageal sphincter pressure (division group: from 16 +/- 10 mm Hg to 24 +/- 7 mm Hg, P <0.001; nondivision group: from 22 +/- 8 mm Hg to 28 +/- 5 mm Hg, P <0.001). No differences in the incidence of postoperative severe dysphagia (division group: 5 of 24; nondivision group: 3 of 32) and overall esophageal transit were accounted between groups. However, division of the SGV was associated with a significant increased incidence of gas-bloating syndrome (division group, 13 of 24, versus nondivision group, 9 of 32, P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Division of the SGV at laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for GERD does not improve clinical outcome and laboratory findings, while it is associated with prolongation of the operating time and increased incidence of gas-bloating syndrome.

Laparoscopic repair of paraesophageal hernia

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Surgical repair of paraesophageal hernia is mandatory, due to the risk of severe complications, and it can be accomplished via the laparoscopic route. This study presents the results of laparoscopic repair of paraesophageal hernia combined with anterior hemifundoplication.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

During a two-year period, ten consecutive patients with paraesophageal hernia (six men, four women; mean age 73, range 55-82) underwent laparoscopic treatment. Five patients presented with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux, while another four reported lower chest pain. There was one patient in whom the paraesophageal hernia was manifested with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Six patients had type III hiatal hernia. They all underwent esophagography, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, stationary manometry, and 24-hour ambulatory pH-metry, preoperatively and within three months postoperatively. At laparoscopy, the hernia content was completely reduced, the sac excised, and the diaphragmatic crura approximated. The operation was completed with an anterior hemifundoplication. In three cases, a prosthetic mesh was applied to close the hiatal defect securely.

RESULTS

Operating times ranged from 75 min to 125 min (mean 90 min). There were no postoperative deaths. One patient developed atelectasis, and another had empyema of the left pleura, treated with drainage and antibiotics. All patients but one were discharged on the second or third postoperative day. At the three-month follow-up examination, none of the patients had symptoms related to the paraesophageal hernia, gastroesophageal reflux, or fundoplication. Esophagography demonstrated restoration of normal anatomy at the gastroesophageal region, while esophageal motility was improved, and esophageal pH-metry showed no gastroesophageal reflux.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic repair of paraesophageal hernias is a safe, technically feasible, and well tolerated procedure, which offers rapid and total relief of symptoms. The addition of an anterior hemifundoplication not only cures preexisting gastroesophageal reflux, but also prevents the development of postoperative gastroesophageal reflux.

Erythromycin enhances oesophageal motility in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux

BACKGROUND

Intravenous (i.v.) erythromycin enhances gastric emptying and oesophageal motility in both healthy and disease situations, acting either as a motilin or acetylcholine agonist. The purpose of the present paper was to investigate any possible effect of i.v. erythromycin on oesophageal motility in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR).

METHODS

In 15 patients with GOR (proven on 24-h ambulatory oesophageal pH measurement), standard oesophageal manometry was performed after i.v. injection of placebo and 200 mg erythromycin, in a random blind fashion.

RESULTS

Erythromycin significantly increased lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) pressure from 17 +/- 5 to 41 +/- 10 mmHg (P < 0.001), without affecting the postdeglutition relaxation of LOS. Erythromycin also increased the amplitude (from 79 +/- 34 to 97 +/- 40 mmHg; P < 0.001), duration (from 3.4 +/- 0.6 to 3.8 +/- 0.6 s; P = 0.005), velocity (from 3.1 +/- 0.8 to 3.5 +/- 1.15 cm/s; P = 0.0047) and strength (from 149 +/- 84 to 201 +/- 103 mmHg.s; P < 0.001) of peristalsis at 5 cm proximal to the LOS. Similarly, the drug increased the amplitude of peristalsis at 10 and 15 cm proximal to the LOS (from 70 +/- 39 to 77.4 +/- 37 mmHg; P = 0.049 and from 36 +/- 20 to 49 +/- 36 mmHg; P = 0.004, respectively) and the duration of peristalsis at the same levels (from 3.1 +/- 0.6 to 3.3 +/- 0.5 s; P = 0.011, and from 2.7 +/- 0.6 to 3 +/- 0.5 s; P = 0.003, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Intravenously administered erythromycin improves impaired oesophageal motility in patients with GOR. This observation might be of clinical use.

Which hepatocyte will it be? Hepatocyte choice for bioartificial liver support systems

Liver failure, notwithstanding advances in medical management, remains a cause of considerable morbidity and mortality in the developed world. Although bioartificial liver (BAL) support systems offer the potential of significant therapeutic benefit for such patients, many issues relating to their use are still to be resolved. In this review, these issues are examined in terms of the functions required, the cells of choice in such a system, and the most appropriate environment to optimize the function of such cells. The major functions identified to date for a BAL are ammonia detoxification and biotransformation of toxic compounds, although this somewhat belies the complexity of the functions required. Two practical choices for cell type within such a system are xenogenic hepatocytes and immortalized human hepatocyte lines. Both these choices have drawbacks, such as the transmission of zoonoses and malignant infiltration, respectively. Finally, improvements in culture conditions, such as supplemented media, biodegradable scaffolds, and coculture, offer the possibility of prolonging the differentiated function of hepatocytes in a BAL.

The effect of erythromycin on human esophageal motility is mediated by serotonin receptors

OBJECTIVE

Erythromycin exhibits prokinetic properties. The drug enhances esophageal and gastric motility by acting as a motilin agonist and promoting acetylocholine release. 5-HT3 receptors are involved in the spontaneously occurring migrating motor complex and the effect of erythromycin on antral motility in dogs. The aim of the study was to investigate the hypothesis that 5-HT3 receptors are also involved in the action of erythromycin on the human esophagus.

METHODS

A total of 18 healthy volunteers underwent standard esophageal manometry on three different occasions in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized manner, as follows: 1) after placebo, 2) after 200 mg of erythromycin i.v., and 3) after 200 mg of i.v. erythromycin subsequent to pretreatment with either 4 mg of i. v. ondansetron (serotonin receptor antagonist) (10 subjects) or 12 microg/kg of i.v. atropine (8 subjects).

RESULTS

Erythromycin significantly increased a) the amplitude of peristalsis at 5 cm (from 87 +/- 19 mm Hg to 108 +/- 26 mm Hg; p = 0.0007), 10 cm (from 72 +/- 24 mm Hg to 81 +/- 26 mm Hg; p = 0.016), and 15 cm (from 47 +/- 15 mm Hg to 55 +/- 17 mm Hg; p = 0.014) proximal to LES, b) the duration of peristalsis at 5 cm (from 4.5 +/- 0.9 s to 5.7 +/- 1.2 s; p < 0.0001) and 10 cm (from 4.1 +/- 1 s to 4.9 +/- 1 s; p < 0.0001) proximal to the LES and c) the strength of peristalsis at 5 cm proximal to the LES (from 180 +/- 49 mm Hg x s to 276 +/- 100 mm Hg x s; p < 0.0001), and decreased the velocity of peristalsis at distal esophagus (from 4.1 +/- 1 cm/s to 3.8 +/- 0.9 cm/s; p = 0.03). In addition, erythromycin significantly increased the resting pressure of the LES (from 36 +/- 10 mm Hg to 44 +/- 12 mm Hg; p = 0.002). Pretreatment with ondansetron totally reversed all of the effects of erythromycin to the placebo state. Pretreatment with atropine not only prevented the effects of erythromycin, but it reduced the amplitude and strength of peristalsis at the distal esophagus at significantly lower levels than after placebo.

CONCLUSIONS

Erythromycin exerts its prokinetic action on the lower esophagus by stimulating cholinergic pathways. This action includes not only an increase in LES pressure, but significant increases in the amplitude and duration of esophageal peristalsis, as well. 5-HT3 receptors are also involved in this process.

Resection rectopexy for rectal prolapse. The laparoscopic approach

BACKGROUND

Resection rectopexy through open laparotomy is an established procedure for the treatment of rectal prolapse.

METHODS

Resection rectopexy was successfully performed in 10 multiparous women by the laparoscopic approach (LAP), and the results were compared to those of eight women with laparotomy resection rectopexy (OPEN). Preoperative and postoperative assessment included anorectal manometry, defecography, and measurement of large-bowel transit.

RESULTS

The duration of the operation was longer in the LAP than in the OPEN group (p < 0.01). Morbidity was lower (p < 0.01) and hospital stay was shorter (p < 0.001) after the LAP than in the OPEN group. Prolapse was cured in all cases. Postoperatively, anal resting and squeeze pressures and rectal compliance increased significantly in both groups of patients (p = 0.007, p = 0.003, and p < 0.001, respectively). In all patients, the operation resulted in acceleration of large-bowel transit (p < 0.001) and in more obtuse anorectal angles at rest (p = 0.007). In addition, sampling events were observed more commonly (p = 0.008) postoperatively. Preoperatively, incontinence was present in 13 patients (seven LAP and six OPEN) and persisted in four of them after rectopexy (two LAP and two OPEN).

CONCLUSIONS

Resection rectopexy for rectal prolapse can be performed safely via the laparoscopic route. Recovery is uneventful and of shorter duration after the laparoscopic than after the open approach. Similarly satisfactory functional results are obtained with both procedures.

Acquired inhibitors to the coagulation factor XII associated with liver disease

Three patients with liver disease and prolonged activated partial thromboplastine time (APTT) on routine tests are presented. One woman had metastatic liver disease from gastric carcinoma, a second woman had autoimmune hepatitis, and one man had severe chronic hepatitis B. APTT was not corrected after mixing experiments with 25%, 50%, and 75% of normal pool plasma, indicating the presence of an acquired inhibitor. In all three cases, factor XII coagulant activity was reduced: <1%, <1%, and 3%, respectively, while all of the other coagulation factors were normal. In all three cases no other auto-antibody was detected. In the first patient, APTT was normalized after a left liver lobectomy, whereas the primary lesion remained unresected. In the second patient, the FXII activity was improved after corticosteroid therapy but never returned to normal values. In the third patient, the APTT was improved after hydroxychloroquine therapy. None of the patients had hemorrhagic or thrombotic phenomena.

Pathophysiology and treatment of anterior rectal mucosal prolapse syndrome

BACKGROUND

The study was designed to investigate the clinical presentation and laboratory findings of anterior rectal mucosal prolapse (ARMP) and to assess the results of two therapeutic modalities.

METHODS

Some 162 women with ARMP were assessed clinically and by defaecography and rectoanal manometry before and 1 year after one or two sessions of submucosal sclerotherapy or, in the case of recurrence, after transanal excision of the prolapsing mucosa.

RESULTS

Almost all patients reported a combination of symptoms suggesting obstructive defaecation. At defaecography anterior rectocele and excessive perineal descent at straining were present in 78 and 72 per cent respectively. The size of coexisting anterior rectocele and the extent of perineal descent were significantly related to the duration of the disease (P< 0.001). One or, in the event of recurrence, two sessions of sclerotherapy led to an overall success rate of 51 per cent. Improvement after sclerotherapy was associated with partial recovery of anal tone and improvement of anal sampling and rectal sensation. Failure of sclerotherapy was related to rectocele of larger size (P< 0.001) and a longer perineal descent at straining (P< 0.001) than in patients with a successful outcome. Excision of the prolapsing mucosa resulted in symptomatic improvement in 42 of 47 patients and was associated with significant improvement of the defaecographic and manometric findings.

CONCLUSION

ARMP is usually associated with anterior rectocele and excessive perineal descent. Submucosal sclerotherapy is successful in half of the cases, but only in the presence of a rather small anterior rectocele and short perineal descent. Failures after sclerotherapy can be treated by transanal excision of the prolapsing mucosa.

Enhancement of gastric emptying of solids by erythromycin in patients with Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy

BACKGROUND

Roux-en-Y reconstruction is sometimes associated with symptoms that suggest food stasis, as a result of dysmotility of either the gastric remnant and/or the efferent jejunal limb.

OBJECTIVE

To study the possible effect of intravenous erythromycin lactobionate on gastric emptying of solids in patients who have undergone a Roux-en-Y procedure.

PATIENTS

Twenty-four patients with a Roux-en-Y procedure participated in the study. Ten of them had undergone truncal vagotomy with pyloroplasty; the remaining 14 had undergone a Billroth II subtotal gastrectomy as the initial antiulcer procedure. Sixteen healthy subjects served as controls.

METHODS

All healthy subjects and patients underwent assessment of gastric emptying of a standard radiolabeled solid meal after administration of placebo or 200 mg of erythromycin lactobionate intravenously. Scanning was done with a gamma camera, and emptying curves were constructed. From these curves the half-time of gastric emptying was calculated.

RESULTS

Patients with severe symptoms of gastric stasis had a significantly longer half-time than did patients with mild or no symptoms (P=.002). Patients with a Billroth II subtotal gastrectomy as the initial antiulcer procedure had a significantly worse grade of symptoms (P=.01) and a significantly prolonged half-time (P=.02) compared with patients with a truncal vagotomy with pyloroplasty as the initial antiulcer procedure. Erythromycin significantly reduced the half-time in the controls (P<.001) and all patients after Roux-en-Y procedure (P<.001).

CONCLUSION

Erythromycin could be a useful prokinetic drug in patients with Roux stasis syndrome.

Effect of oral cisapride on gallbladder emptying during fasting and postprandial states

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of orally administered cisapride on gallbladder emptying in healthy subjects during fasting and postprandial states.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Gallbladder emptying was assessed by means of ultrasonography in 10 healthy male subjects (age range, 25-33 years; mean age, 28.6 years +/- 3.2 [standard deviation]) under four randomly applied conditions: (a) after oral intake of a placebo tablet, (b) after oral intake of 10 mg of cisapride during fasting, (c) after oral intake of a placebo tablet followed 30 minutes later by ingestion of 300 mL of fresh whole milk (postprandial emptying), and (d) after oral intake of 10 mg of cisapride followed 30 minutes later by ingestion of 300 mL of milk.

RESULTS

Cisapride given during the fasting state induced gallbladder contraction by 44.1% +/- 12.6 (standard deviation) of its initial volume. Gallbladder emptying started after 19.4 minutes +/- 12.6 and reached its peak 51 minutes +/- 5.7 later. The ejection fraction after administration of only cisapride was significantly less than that after placebo and milk ingestion (44.1% +/- 12.6 vs 60.6% +/- 8.5, P < .0002). Oral administration of cisapride 30 minutes before milk consumption induced gallbladder emptying, which started approximately 10 minutes before milk ingestion. The ejection fraction after administration of cisapride with milk was significantly greater than that after consumption of placebo and milk (67.1% +/- 8.8 vs 60.6% +/- 8.5, P < .02).

CONCLUSION

Oral cisapride induces contraction of the gallbladder during the fasting state and enhances postprandial gallbladder emptying.

Effect of nifedipine on rectoanal motility

PURPOSE

Based on the rationale that the calcium channel blocker, nifedipine, decreases lower esophageal sphincter pressure in achalasia, a prospective controlled trial was performed to evaluate the effect of sublingual nifedipine on the anal sphincter of controls and patients with high anal resting pressures.

METHODS

Ten age-matched and sex-matched controls without evidence of anal disorder and ten patients with hemorrhoids and/or fissure-in-ano were included in the study. Anorectal manometry, with an eight-channel, water-perfused catheter was performed on all patients before and 30 minutes after administration of 20 mg of sublingual nifedipine.

RESULTS

Nifedipine significantly reduced anal resting pressure in both controls and patients by approximately 30 percent (P < 0.001 and P < 0.0001, respectively). A significant reduction was also noted in the length of high-pressure zone of the anal sphincter (P < 0.02 for both groups) and in the frequency (controls, P < 0.05; patients, P < 0.03) and amplitude (controls, P < 0.03; patients, P < 0.009) of slow waves in both groups, whereas the presence, frequency, and amplitude of ultraslow waves were significantly reduced only in the patient group (P < 0.05; P < 0.01; P < 0.0005, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Nifedipine reduces the activity of the internal anal sphincter both in controls and patients with high anal resting pressure. The drug might be of some use in relieving symptoms in patients with hemorrhoids or anal fissure.