Abstract Introduction The management of complex anal fistulae remains a topical surgical problem. The choice and success of surgical management are based on the balance between healing and continence. Although porcine dermal collagen (Permacol Collagen Paste [PCP]- Covidien plc, Gosport, Hampshire, UK) represents a new generation of non-solid biomaterials, its results in anal fistulae are mixed. Methods A multicenter observational retrospective analysis of consecutive patients with cryptoglandular anal fistula treated in four colorectal surgery units was performed between 2015 and 2020. Clinical cure of the fistula was the main outcome measure. Adverse events and alterations in anal continence were secondary outcomes. Results The study included 119 patients (87 males, 71.1%), with a mean age of 53 years (IR 44-65). Most patients had complex (80.6%) and recurrent (91.6%) fistulae. With the first PCP treatment, the overall cure rate was 41.2% (49 patients) and 45.4% with the second treatment (5 out of 17 patients). The mean follow-up period was 17 months (IR 5-25). Healing was not affected by the location and type of fistula, the existence or not of a cavity, the number of tracts, or the administration of prophylactic antibiotics. After the PCP treatment, no patient in the series had worsening of continence. Morbidity affected 22.7% of the patients (27), with postoperative abscesses being the most frequent adverse event. There were no statistical differences between the four hospitals studied. Conclusions Permacol collagen paste is a safe and easily reproducible therapy for complicated anal fistulae that has moderate efficacy. The overall success rate is slightly over 40%, with no detriment to fecal continence.

Abstract Objective: To assess the impact of the incidence of late anastomotic dehiscences, defined as those occurring after the 60th post-operative day, in the final results of rectal cancer treatment. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed reviewing all anastomotic leakages (AL) recorded in a prospective rectal cancer database, from November 2006 to December 2015. Results: The analysis included 395 (71.5%) colo-rectal anastomosis performed in 552 patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery. Overall 32 (8.1%). AL were identified: 25 (78%) early and 7 (22%) late. Late AL compared to early AL were significantly associated with: higher ASA score (p = 0.021), higher CLS score (p = 0.005), lower rectal tumours (p = 0.014), neo-adjuvant radio-chemotherapy (p = 0.028), presence of ileostomy (p = 0.013), early hospital discharge (p = 0.048) and with the need for definitive stoma creation (p = 0.003). Conclusions: Late AL can represent up to 22% of all AL; with significant long-term implications such as an increase of the requirement of definitive stoma or chronic pelvic sepsis. This findings could modify the long-term outcomes in rectal cancer published. In our experience, the late AL do not represent a distinct clinical process compared to early forms, with exception of the chronological criteria.

Resumen Objetivo: Valorar el impacto de la incidencia de dehiscencias anastomóticas tardías, definidas como las aparecidas después del día 60 del posoperatorio, en los resultados finales del tratamiento del cáncer de recto. Método: Estudio retrospectivo de todas las dehiscencias anastomóticas recogidas a largo plazo en un registro prospectivo de cáncer de recto entre noviembre de 2006 y diciembre de 2015. Resultados: Se realizaron 395 anastomosis colorrectales en 552 pacientes con cáncer de recto (71.5%) y se diagnosticaron 32 dehiscencias anastomóticas (8.1%): 25 precoces (78%) y 7 tardías (22%). Las tardías se diferenciaron de las precoces por presentarse en pacientes con mayor puntuación ASA (p = 0.021), mayor puntuación predictiva CLS (p = 0.005), tumores más bajos (p = 0.014), neoadyuvancia (p = 0.028), ileostomía (p = 0.013), menos tiempo de estancia posoperatoria (p = 0.048) y mayor necesidad de estomas definitivos (p = 0.003). Conclusiones: Las dehiscencias anastomóticas tardías pueden suponer el 22% de las dehiscencias totales y se acompañan de un aumento de estomas definitivos y de sepsis pélvica crónica que podrían empeorar los estándares publicados en cáncer de recto. En nuestra experiencia no son diferentes de las formas precoces salvo en su cronología.

Anal intraepitelial neoplasia (AIN) constitutes a major health problem in certain risk groups, such as patients with immunosuppression of varied origin, males who have sexual relations with other males, and females with a previous history of vaginal or cervical abnormalities in cytology. Its relationship with the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been well documented; however, many of the factors involved in the progression and regression of the viral infection to dysplasia and anal carcinoma are unknown. AIN can be diagnosed through cytology of the anal canal or biopsy guided by high-resolution anoscopy. However, the need for these techniques in high-risk groups remains controversial. Treatment depends on the risk factors and given the high morbidity and high recurrence rates the utility of the different local treatments is still a subject of debate. Surgical biopsy is justified only in the case of progression suggesting lesions. The role of the vaccination in high-risk patients as primary prevention has been debated by different groups. However, there is no general consensus on its use or on the need for screening this population.

La neoplasia intraepitelial anal (AIN) constituye un importante problema de salud en ciertos grupos de riesgo como los pacientes con inmunodepresión de diverso origen, varones que mantienen relaciones sexuales con otros hombres, y mujeres con antecedentes de alteraciones en la citología cervical y/o vaginal. Está bien demostrada su relación con la infección del virus del papiloma humano (HPV), sin embargo se desconocen muchos de los factores implicados en la progresión y regresión de la infección viral a la displasia y al carcinoma anal. La pruebas diagnósticas de elección son la citología del canal anal y la anuscopia de alta resolución con biopsias dirigidas, aunque existe controversia sobre la necesidad de realización de la misma en poblaciones de riesgo. El tratamiento del AIN depende de los factores de riesgo y la necesidad de tratamiento local es controvertida debido a la alta tasa de recurrencia y morbilidad de las técnicas utilizadas. La biopsia quirúrgica está justificada sólo ante lesiones macroscópicas sugestivas de progresión. La vacunación frente al HPV para una prevención primaria en pacientes de alto riesgo ha sido debatida entre diferentes grupos, sin embargo no existe consenso sobre su implantación ni tampoco sobre la realización de un cribado en esta población.