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Fournier's gangrene is a life-threatening infection which requires prompt recognition, early surgical debridement of unhealthy tissue, and initiation of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Relook debridement are usually performed until all the devitalized tissue has been removed. Involvement of the anal sphincter may result in significant morbidity such as permanent incontinence. Dynamic reconstruction of the anal sphincter has always been one of the holy grails in the field of pelvic reconstruction. We demonstrate a new method of camera shutter style double-opposing gracilis muscle flaps that allows dynamic sphincteric function without the need for electrostimulation. The bilateral gracilis muscles are inset in a fashion that allows orthograde contraction of the muscle to narrow and collapse the neoanal opening. With biofeedback training, the patient is able to regain dynamic continence and return to function without a stoma. There was also no need for neurotization or microsurgery techniques to restore sphincteric function to the anus. The patient was able to reverse his stoma 14 months after the initial insult and reconstruction with biofeedback training without the use of electrostimulation.

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BACKGROUND: In patients with Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), soiling may be related to anal sphincter damage following the initial pull-through. No optimal treatment has been developed for such patients, although enemas (rectal or antegrade) have been applied with some success. We present the one-year outcomes of a new technique for anal sphincter reconstruction. METHODS: All patients with HSCR referred from other institutions for post pull-through soiling were studied. Seven patients with patulous sphincters underwent sphincter reconstruction. Six had a full preoperative evaluation and were included in the study. Their 12-month outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: All six patients had soiling without voluntary bowel movements (VBMs). One patient was clean on Malone flushes when referred. Three underwent pre- and post-reconstruction non-sedated three-dimensional anorectal manometry, and objectively were able to close their sphincters following the reconstruction. All patients without Down syndrome (4 of 6) showed improvement in the abbreviated Baylor Continence Scale (4.5 vs. 0.75). One patient has achieved total bowel control without antegrade flushes, three now have VBMs which they did not have before but have occasional accidents and use antegrade flushes intermittently. They reported higher productivity, the ability to participate in sports and be away from home with confidence in their regimen. Two of 6 patients have Down syndrome and required a redo pull-through for other indications and underwent empiric sphincter reconstruction. For these two patients we do not have an outcomes assessment. CONCLUSIONS: A new technique for sphincter reconstruction shows promising results in improvement of bowel control at one year. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

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BACKGROUND: Abdominal colostomy has been reported as an option with good quality of life for patients requiring abdominoperineal resection (APR) for very low rectal cancer. Some young, compliant patients, nevertheless, are very motivated to avoid abdominal colostomy following APR. Spiral smooth muscle cuff perineal colostomy as neosphincter reconstruction can be a reasonable alternative. We have published before the results of a series of sphincter reconstruction in the conventional technique following APR. As we developed our technique for colorectal resection sphincter reconstruction, we also changed to a laparoscopic approach. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of laparoscopic neosphincteric reconstruction and outline the aspects of the technique. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted on 15 patients treated at our institution during a 6 year period for low rectal cancer by laparoscopic APR and spiral smooth muscle cuff perineal colostomy as sphincter reconstruction. At follow-up at a median time of 3.7 years (range 3-9 years) after surgery, patients underwent functional evaluation which included the modified Holschneider continence score (0-16), assessing consistency of stool, frequency, impulse, discrimination, warning period, incontinence for formed or fluid feces, soiling, wearing pads, drugs, enema where a score of 13-16 is associated with normal continence, as well as neosphincter manometry. RESULTS: Laparoscopic sphincter reconstruction was feasible in all 15 patients. Two of the fifteen patients (13%) required secondary colostomy in the long term due to neosphincter malfunction and neosphincter perforation after enema. Four of the remaining thirteen patients (30%) were partially continent according to the Holschneider continence score (HCS) with a score of 7-12. The other 9 (70%) were continent (HCS: 13-16). Neosphincter manometry showed a median resting pressure of 33 cm H2O (range 30-41 cm H2O) and a median squeeze pressure of 95 cm H2O (range 84-150 cm H2O). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic sphincter reconstruction following APR is a feasible option offering an alternative to abdominal colostomy for selected patients.

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BACKGROUND: Perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease is associated with severe symptoms such as pain, fecal incontinence, and a significant reduction in quality of life. RESULTS: In refractory cases, many patients face the decision of having a stoma and/or requiring proctectomy. In former years, the standard of care was a complete fistulectomy, bringing with it a high rate of continence disorders. Additionally, many patients received indefinite treatment, namely the placement of a seton to maintain surgical drainage. CONCLUSION: More recently, newer biologics, cell-based therapies as well as novel surgical techniques have been introduced, raising new hopes that outcomes can be improved upon.

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OBJECTIVES: One of the most serious complications of vaginal delivery is 3rd and 4th degree perineal tear and its incorrect management results in anal incontinence. Animal-based anatomical models of childbirth-induced perineal tear are an important element of the physicians' practical training [1]. The proposed new model, prepared using porcine tongue and intestine, closely mimics all the tissues and organs subjected to injury during complicated deliveries and constitutes an educational opportunity for the reconstruction of the injuries. The objective of this paper was to present a new porcine model of the perineum and to evaluate the utility of this model in the training of physicians on the reconstruction of the 3rd and 4th degree perineal tear during childbirth. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We presented a preparation method of the proposed model and a calculation of the amount of time and costs required for its preparation. The utility of the model was assessed using a questionnaire completed by the participants of a workshop conducted with the model. RESULTS: We found that 95% of the respondents had never practiced perineal reconstruction on any model. According to 85% of the respondents, our model was very similar to natural tissues. According to 95% of the respondents, the simulated model of the perineal tear satisfactorily mimicked the real-life situation. CONCLUSIONS: The presented model is cheap and easy to prepare. It satisfactorily mimics the tissues and tissue injuries caused by the tear, making it helpful in training physicians on the reconstruction of 3rd and 4th degree perineal tear.

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PURPOSE: Due to the closed and humid condition of the perineal area, wound problems occurring at this site are sometimes complicated, especially following postoperative radiation therapy. Moreover, the anal sphincter is a very important functional structure but reconstruction of the anal sphincter after severe trauma poses a challenging problem to plastic surgeons. In this article, we demonstrate the usefulness of the pedicled gracilis flap in the reconstruction of the perineal area. METHODS: From September 2008 to November 2009, 6 patients, 4 males and 2 females, underwent surgery of the perineal area. The age of the patients ranged from 21 to 62 years (mean age was 48). The mean follow up period was 14 months. In 4 cases, the patient presented with wound problems after postoperative radiation therapy for anal cancer. In 2 cases, the patient presented with traumatic sphincter damage. Only the gracilis muscle was used in the 4 cases and a musculocutaneous flap was used in the 2 cases involving skin defects, respectively. RESULTS: Among the 6 patients, 1 patient underwent hematoma evacuation of the donor site, and 1 patient presented with prolapse of the vaginal mucosa which recovered spontaneously. There were no report of other complications and there were no wound recurrences. Minimal incontinence was observed in all patients who underwent sphincter reconstruction, but all were satisfied with the overall results. CONCLUSION: The gracilis flap is useful in the reconstruction of the perineal area, such as in cases of radiotherapy induced wound problems and sphincter damage following severe trauma, due to its easy accessibility, rich vascularity, and minimal donor site morbidity.

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