The role of conservative treatment of functional defecatory disorders and further perspectives in patients with pelvic organ prolapse

Введение. В патогенезе расстройств дефекации у больных с ректоцеле могут участвовать как анатомические, так и функциональные нарушения. Однако до настоящего времени о возможности консервативной терапии, направленной на коррекцию функциональных расстройств дефекации, изучены недостаточно. Цель: изучение эффективности использования методов включающих БОС-терапию (терапия биологической обратной связью, biofeedback терапия) и тибиальной нейромодуляции в лечении больных с функциональными расстройствами дефекации на фоне пролапса тазовых органов. Методика. Материалом исследования служили результаты обследования пациенток в возрасте от 18 до 75 лет с наличием функционального расстройства дефекации (ФРД) в сочетании с ректоцеле без ранее проводившихся попыток хирургической коррекции. Проведены оценка общеклинических данных, опрос при помощи специализированного опросника выраженности расстройств эвакуаторной функции толстой кишки, рентгеновская дефектография, аноректальная манометрия высокого разрешения до и после комплекса консервативной реабилитации при помощи БОС-терапии и тибиальной нейромодуляции. Результаты. Конечному анализу были доступны данные 60 пациенток. Ректоцеле 1-й степени выявлено у 3 человек (5%), 2-й - у 37 (61,7%), 3-й степени - у 20 (33,3%) участниц исследования. Средний балл по симптомному опроснику составил 11,4±3,7. ФРД I типа выявлено у 41 (68,3%), II типа - у 6 (10%), III - у 10 (16,7%) и IV - у 3 (5%) участниц. После проведенной БОС-терапии признаки ФРД полностью устранены у 36,7% (22/60) женщин с ректоцеле. Неэффективной БОС-терапия оказалась у 11/41 (26,8 %) пациенток с I типом манометрического паттерна, 2/6 (33,3 %) со II типом и 4/10 (40,0 %) пациенток с III типом ФРД; (всего у 17/60 (28,3 %). У пациенток с IV типом паттерна неэффективные результаты лечения отсутствовали. Заключение. БОС-терапия и тибиальная нейромодуляция приводят к устранению симптомов в 36,7% случаев и положительной динамике у 35,0% больных. Методы могут быть рекомендованы к использованию в комплексной терапии эвакуаторных расстройств дефекации у больных с ректоцеле Aim. To assess the efficacy of conservative methods like biofeedback therapy (BFB) and tibial neuromodulation (TNM) for treatment of patients with functional FDD and rectocele. Methods. Information collected during examinations of female patients with FDD and rectocele and with no previous surgery served as source data. Before and after conservative treatment with BFB and TNM, symptoms were assessed, responses to a specialized questionnaire on the severity of rectal evacuatory function impairment were analyzed, and X-ray defecography and high-resolution anorectal manometry were performed. Data before and after treatment were compared with non-parametric statistics (Wilcoxon matched pairs test). Results. The data of 60 women (mean age 48.2±13.4 years) were analyzed. Rectocele grade 1 was detected in 3 (5%), grade 2 in 37 (61.7%), and grade 3 in 20 (33.3%) patients. Mean symptom score on the specialized questionnaire was 11.4±3.7. FDD type 1 manometric pattern was found in 41 (68.3%), type II in 6 (10%), type III in 10 (16.7%), and IV in 3 (5%) participants. Complete resolution of FDD after BFB and TNM therapy was found in 22/60 (36.7%) of women. BFB and TNM therapy was ineffective in 11/41 (26.8%) patients with FDD type I, in 2/6 (33.3%) with type II, and in 4/10 (40.0%) patients with type III FDD. This conservative treatment was effective in 100% patients with type IV pattern of FDD. Based on the results, we suggest further actions to improve the outcomes of conservative treatment. Conclusion. Conservative treatment with combined biofeedback therapy and tibial neuromodulation may help improve symptoms in 35% of patients and lead to complete resolution of functional component in 37% of patients with functional defecatory disorders and rectocele. This treatment was not effective in 28% of patients.

Correlation Between Skin and Affected Organs in 52 Sclerodermic Patients Followed in a Diseases Management Team: Development of a Risk Prediction Model of Organ-Specific Complications

ObjectiveTo identify the existence of a correlation among the various organs affected, focusing primarily on immuno-dermatological aspects, and to create a risk prediction model of organ-specific complications.Material and MethodsFifty-two patients with stable scleroderma, followed between 2015 and 2019, were investigated through an extensive multidisciplinary evaluation in the last year.ResultsPatients with lung involvement presented a worse degree of skin fibrosis than patients without it (p <0.001). No relationship was observed for the heart, kidney, and esophagus. Patients with pulmonary involvement had a lower pressure of the low esophagus sphincter and a higher Warrick score than patients without it (p <0.05). Age was significantly higher in patients with kidney involvement. Diffuse scleroderma patients had a worse pulmonary impairment than limited scleroderma patients (p <0.05). The manometric “sclerodermic” pattern was observed to be the most frequent (55.6%, p <0.05) in dcSSc patients while the sclerodermic and normal pattern were equally represented (41.2 and 32.4% respectively, p <0.05) in lcSSc patients. When compared to the negative serological groups, anti-Scl-70 positive patients presented a worse lung involvement while anti-centromere patients presented a better lung outcome (p <0.05). PM-Scl 100/75 positive patients presented mostly a pulmonary fibrotic pattern (p <0.05) and, also, heart complications were more likely associated with anti PM-Scl 100/75 positivity (p <0.05). The risk prediction model for organ-specific complications had an accuracy of 84.4% (95%CI 78, 89) in complication-site prediction, AUC of 0.871, 86% of sensitivity, and 83% of specificity, Cohen’s Kappa (k) of 0.68.ConclusionsOut of all the organs studied, the skin is the one that correlates with the lung. Patients with a diffuse form of disease presented more frequently the anti Scl-70 antibody and had a worse lung and esophageal involvement (scleroderma pattern) than the negative group. Conversely, patients with limited disease presented all positive for the anti-centromere antibody with a better lung involvement than the negative group, without any difference among the esophageal manometric pattern. Anti PM-Scl 100/75 antibody patients were associated with pulmonary fibrosis and presented cardiac involvement. The model created has demonstrated excellent values of sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy, but further studies are needed for validation.

Type II achalasia. What can be hidden behind panesophageal pressurization?

The aim was to investigate features of manometric pattern of type II achalasia.Materials and methods: High-resolution esophgeal manometry (HRM) was performed in 250 patients with achalasia. In 154 cases patients underwent peroral esophageal myotomy (POEM).Results: We found that poor results after POEM showed patients with high preoperative esophageal pressurization (>80 mm Hg). The poorest result after POEM we observed in patient with short additional increase of panesophageal pressure (up to 95 mm Hg) withing the contour of panesophageal pressurization.

Clinical correlation and disease phenotype in patients with esophageal achalasia and comorbid autoimmune diseases

Summary Background There is evidence that idiopathic achalasia has an autoimmune component and a significant association with several autoimmune comorbidities has been described. However, data regarding the prevalence of autoimmune diseases in achalasia are not well established, and few studies have explored this association. Objective Our primary aim was to prospectively investigate the type and frequency of autoimmune comorbidities in a large cohort of consecutive achalasia patients. Our secondary aim was to investigate the effects of autoimmune comorbidities on achalasia phenotype (clinical features and manometric pattern). Methods The study population consisted of 375 consecutive patients (215 females—median age 55 ± 17 years), referred at our tertiary referral center from January 2008 to January 2018, with clinical and instrumental (EGDS, barium esophagogram, and manometry) diagnosis of idiopathic achalasia. Gender- and age-matched subjects undergoing manometry and pH-impedance monitoring for typical gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) complaints served as controls. In all patients a detailed history taking was carried out, recording the presence and type of autoimmune comorbidities. Results The overall prevalence of autoimmune comorbidities was two times higher in achalasia than in control patients (12.3 vs. 5%, respectively). The presence of comorbidities did not significantly affect disease’s phenotype, as the age of disease onset was similar in achalasia patients with and without comorbidities (50.13 ± 14.47 and 48.3 ± 18.71, respectively, P = NS). Conclusions Although larger epidemiologic studies are needed to confirm our data, our findings likely suggest that achalasia has a complex multifactorial pathophysiology with an autoimmune component.

O89 TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF LAPAROSCOPIC TREATMENT FOR ESOPHAGEAL ACHALASIA: OUR EXPERIENCE ON 1001 LAPAROSCOPIC HELLER-DOR OPERATIONS

Background In the last decade of the past century, primary Laparoscopic Heller-Dor (LHD) for Achalasia progressively became the procedure of choice in the new millennium. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term outcome of LHD to treat Achalasia at a single high-volume institution during the past 25 years. Methods 1000 patients underwent LHD from 1992-2017 by 6 staff surgeons alternatively. Patients who had already been treated with surgical or endoscopic myotomy were ruled out. Symptoms were collected and scored using a detailed questionnaire; barium-swallow, endoscopy, manometry were performed, before and after surgery while, 24-hour pH monitoring were performed 6 months after surgery. Results LHD was the primary treatment for 1000 patients (M:F=536:464); the median age was 46 (IQR 36-54), 183 (18.3%) had a history of endoscopic treatments (pneumatic dilation or botox injections, or both). The surgical procedure was completed laparoscopically in all but 7 patients (0.7%) and there was one perioperative death for heart attack. There were 25 perforations (2.5%): 22 were recognized and repaired during the operation, 3 were detected by postoperative contrast swallow. The outcome was positive in 902 patients (90.2%). In patients who had a previous treatment the failures were 25/183 (13.7%) while in the primary treatment group the failures were 73/817 (8.9%) (p=0.055). All the 98 patients whose LHD failed subsequently underwent one or more endoscopic pneumatic dilations, which ameliorated their recurrent symptoms in all but 11 patients (10 of whom required reoperation). The overall success rate of the combination of LHD and endoscopic dilations (where necessary) was 98.4%. At univariate analysis, manometric pattern (p=0.001), sigmoid megaesophagus (p=0.003) and a chest pain score (p=0.002) were the only factors predictive of a positive final results. At multivariate analysis, these three factors were independently associated to good outcome. Postoperative 24-hour pH-monitoring was abnormal in 50/590 patients (8.5%) Two patients developed an esophageal cancer during the follow-up time. Conclusions In a university tertiary referral center LHD can durably relieve achalasia symptoms. Preoperative manometric pattern, a presence of a sigmoid esophagus and the chest pain score represent the strongest predictor of outcome.

P88 EXTENDING MYOTOMY BOTH DOWNWARDS AND UPWARDS IMPROVES THE FINAL OUTCOME IN MANOMETRIC PATTERN III ACHALASIA PATIENTS

Background Achalasia is at present classified in 3 manometric patterns. Pattern III is the most unfrequent pattern and is correlated with the worst outcome after all available treatments. We aimed to investigate the final outcome after classic laparoscopic myotomy (CLM) as compared with a longer laparoscopic myotomy both downwards and upwards with (LLM) in patients with pattern III achalasia. Methods The study population consisted of 61 consecutive patients with pattern III achalasia who underwent laparoscopic myotomy between 1997-2017. Patients who had already been treated with surgical or endoscopic procedures were ruled out. Symptoms were collected and scored using a detailed questionnaire; barium-swallow, endoscopy, manometry were performed, before and after surgical treatment. In CLM the total length of the myotomy was ≤ 9 cm, while myotomies extended both downwards and upwards to a length >9 cm were defined as LLM. Results Of the 61 patients representing the study population, 24 had CLM and 37 had LLM. In addition, all the patients add an anterior, partial fundoplication (Dor). The patients’ demographic and clinical parameters (sex, symptom-score, duration of symptoms, esophageal-diameter) were similar in both groups. One mucosal perforation was detected and repaired intraoperatively in the LLM group. The median length of the myotomy was 8 cm (IQR:8-9) in the CLM and 10 cm (IQR:10-12) in the LLM (p<0.001). The median of follow-up was 94 months (IQR:52-126) in the CLM and 24 months (IQR:16-40) in the LLM. As a whole, the two groups had a different drop in their symptom score: 22 (17-26) versus 4 (0-8), and 20 (18-27) versus 3 (0-6) for the CLM and LLM respectively (p<0.01). Moreover, failures were 8/24 (33.3%) in the CLM and 4/37 (10.8%) in the LLM (p<0.05). An abnormal acid exposure was detected after the treatment in 4 patients of CLM and in 3 of LLM (p=n.s.). Conlcusions The extension of the length of the myotomy both downwards and upwards improves the final outcome of the laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure in patients with pattern III achalasia. On the other hand, a longer myotomy does not influence the development of postoperative gastroesophageal reflux.

FA02.02: TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF LAPAROSCOPIC TREATMENT FOR ESOPHAGEAL ACHALASIA: OUR EXPERIENCE ON 1000 LAPAROSCOPIC HELLER-DOR OPERATIONS

Background In the past decades, Laparoscopic Heller-Dor (LHD) progressively became the treatment of choice for esophageal achalasia. Aim of this study was to assess our 25-year experience with LHD at a single high-volume institution. Methods 1000 patients underwent LHD from 1992–2017 by 6 staff surgeons. Patients who had already been treated with surgical or endoscopic myotomy were ruled out. Symptoms were scored using a detailed questionnaire; barium swallow, endoscopy, manometry (conventional or High Resolution) were performed, before and after surgery, while 24-hour pH monitoring was performed 6 months after surgery. Treatment failure was defined as a postoperative symptom score >10th percentile of the preoperative score (i.e. >8). Results LHD was performed on 1000 patients (M: F = 536:464); the median age was 46 (IQR 36–54), 183 (18.3%) had a history of endoscopic treatments (pneumatic dilation or botox injections, or both). The surgical procedure was completed laparoscopically in all but 7 patients (0.7%) and there was one perioperative death for heart attack. There were 25 perforations (2.5%): 22 were recognized and repaired during the operation, 3 were detected by postoperative contrast swallow. In 674 patients the manometric pattern was classified as follows: 310 (46%) pattern I, 315 (46.7%) pattern II and 49 (7.3%) pattern III. The outcome was positive in 902 patients (90.2%). In patients who had a previous treatment the failures were 25/183 (13.7%) while in the primary treatment group the failures were 73/817 (8.9%) (P = 0.055). All the 98 patients whose LHD failed underwent one or more pneumatic dilations, which ameliorated their symptoms in all but 11 patients (10 required reoperation). The overall success rate of combined LHD and dilations was 98.4%. At univariate analysis, manometric pattern (P = 0.001), absent sigmoid megaesophagus (P = 0.003) and chest pain score (P = 0.002) were the only factors predictive of the result. At multivariate analysis, these three factors were independently associated with good outcome. Postoperative 24-hour pH was abnormal in 50/590 patients (8.5%). Two patients developed an esophageal cancer during follow-up. Conclusion In a university tertiary referral center, LHD relieves achalasia symptoms durably. The preoperative manometric pattern, the absence of a sigmoid esophagus and the chest pain score represent the strongest predictors of outcome. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.