Development of the Greek version of the University of Washington Quality of Life questionnaire for patients with head and neck cancer

The University of Washington Quality of Life (UW-QOL) questionnaire, created in 1993 to evaluate health related quality of life, has been widely used in English-speaking populations and translated and validated in other languages. The aim of the present study was to carefully translate and psychometrically validate the UW-QOL questionnaire in Greek. The revised version of the questionnaire was obtained by forward and backward translation of the original English version, according to internationally accepted guidelines. Validation was performed in 120 patients with head and neck cancer treated in a Greek Anticancer Institute in Athens, during their follow-up visits. Eligible patients completed the Greek version of the questionnaire and two other previously validated quality of life questionnaires (EORTC QLQ H&N35 and C-30). Related data and the patients' demographics were extracted from the patient's notes. Strong internal consistency (mean Cronbach α value of 0.83) was shown, with good construct validity. Statistically significant differences were noted between tumour staging and treatment modality and global quality of life. Strong correlation was shown between previously validated EORTC questionnaires and the translated UW-QOL questionnaire. In conclusion, the Greek version of the UW-QOL questionnaire appears to be culturally appropriate and psychometrically valid. © 2013 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Combined Robotic-Assisted Bio-absorbable Mesh Placement and Gluteal Fasciocutaneous Flap Reconstruction: a Novel Technique for the Repair of a Symptomatic Perineal Hernia Following Extralevator Abdominoperineal Resection for Rectal Cancer

Extralevator abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer has predominated over the common technique during recent years providing better oncologic results. However, extralevator abdominoperineal resection has been associated to a higher incidence of wound complications and perineal hernia. Several risk factors including preoperative pelvic radiotherapy, laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection, women, previous hysterectomy, obesity, coccygectomy, long small bowel mesentery, postoperative wound infection, and open pelvic peritoneum have been correlated to increased perineal hernia rate. Despite the minor clinical manifestation of a perineal hernia, its effect on the quality of life remains remarkable. Therefore, the surgical management of a perineal hernia after abdominoperineal resection is still a challenge for colorectal surgeons. Several techniques have been used including biologic meshes and myocutaneous flaps. Nevertheless, the ideal technique has not yet been proved. During last years, colorectal surgeons have utilized minimally invasive techniques such as robotic repair of perineal hernias. We presented the first case in the literature of a combined approach of robotic-assisted repair using a bio-absorbable mesh and a gluteal fasciocutaneous flap reconstruction. © 2021, Association of Surgeons of India

Routine abdominal drains after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: a retrospective review of 353 patients

Complications after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) are usually silent and difficult to interpret. Our purpose was to evaluate the utility of routine placement of intraperitoneal drains at the end of LSG in detection and management of postoperative complications. This is a retrospective study of all patients that underwent LSG by a standard operative team in a 3-year period. Patients were enrolled in Group A when an intraperitoneal drain was placed and Group B when not. Three hundred and fifty-three patients underwent LSG with a median preoperative BMI of 46.4 k/m2. Two hundred and one patients were enrolled in group A and 152 in group B; the two groups were comparable in their characteristics. Staple line leak, bleeding, and abscess were observed in 4%, 2.9%, and 2.5% of group A and 2.6%, 1.9%, and 1.9% of group B and the differences did not reach statistical significance. In 50% of patients with drain and leak, per os blue de methylene test was negative and in another 50% leak took place after the fourth postoperative day when drain was already taken off. Abscesses were observed significantly more often in patients that had suffered postoperative bleeding (p < 0.001) or had undergone laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) in the past (p = 0.02). Placement of drains does not facilitate detection of leak, abscess, or bleeding. Furthermore, they don't seem to eliminate the reoperation rates for these complications. Maybe patients with previous LAGB and intraperitoneal bleeding could benefit from placement of a drain that will remain for more than 5 days.Obes Sur

Rectoanal repair versus suture haemorrhoidopexy: a comparative study on suture mucopexy procedures for high-grade haemorrhoids

The isolated application of Doppler-guided haemorrhoidal artery ligation (DGHAL) may fail due to the increased reprolapse rate for high-grade haemorrhoids. DGHAL has been combined with a proctoscopic-assisted transanal rectal mucopexy of the prolapsing tissue. The technique is called rectoanal repair (RAR) and is an evolution of various mucopexy and suture haemorrhoidopexy (SHP) techniques. A prominent external component may require minimal (muco-) cutaneous excision (MMCE) of protruding anoderm or minor cutaneous excision of skin tags. Fifty-seven patients with symptomatic Goligher grade III and IV haemorrhoids underwent DGHAL followed by either RAR or SHP. In 26 cases, the addition of MMCE was necessary. No significant differences were observed between the two approaches with regards to pain scores measured with visual analogue scale (VAS). On postoperative day 1, mean pain score at rest was 5.81 (+/- 2.23 SD) after SHP versus 5.08 (+/- 2.35 SD) after RAR, while mean pain score at first defecation was 7.31 (+/- 1.6 SD) versus 7.52 (+/- 1.83 SD). There was no difference in the duration of analgesic requirements, postoperative complications and residual prolapse between the 2 procedures. The addition of MMCE did not affect postoperative pain nor analgesic requirements. With the exception of 8 patients who still had with skin tags or minimal protrusion, the remaining of patients (86 %) were asymptomatic and recurrence-free at an average follow-up of 20 months. Overall, 94.8 % of patients stated that they were satisfied with the results, and 91.2 % that they would repeat it if necessary. Performance of either SHP or RAR after DGHAL is a safe and effective surgical tactic for advanced grade haemorrhoids. Our initial results do not confirm any superiority of RAR over traditional SHP

Could FiLaC™ be effective in the treatment of anal fistulas? A systematic review of observational studies and proportional meta-analysis

Aim: Fistula Laser Closure (FiLaC™) is a novel sphincter-preserving technique that is based on new technologies and shows promising results in repairing anal fistulas whilst maintaining external sphincter function. The aim of the present meta-analysis is to present the efficacy and the safety of FiLaC™ in the management of anal fistula disease. Method: The present proportional meta-analysis was designed using the PRISMA and AMSTAR guidelines. We searched MEDLINE, Scopus, clinicaltrials.gov, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials CENTRAL and Google Scholar databases from inception until November 2019. Results: Overall, eight studies were included that recruited 476 patients. The pooled success rate of the technique was 63% (95% CI 50%–75%). The pooled complication rate was 8% (95% CI 1%–18%). Sixty-six per cent of patients had a transsphincteric fistula and 60% had undergone a previous surgical intervention, mainly the insertion of a seton (54%). The majority had a cryptoglandular fistula. Operation time and follow-up period were described for each study. Conclusion: FiLaC™ seems to be an efficient therapeutic option for perianal fistula disease with an adequate level of safety that preserves quality of life. Nevertheless, randomized trials need to be designed to compare FiLaC™ with other procedures for the management of anal fistulas such as ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract, anal advancement flaps, fibrin glue, collagen paste, autologous adipose tissue, fistula plug and video-assisted anal fistula treatment. Colorectal Disease © 2020 The Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Irelan