Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Hum Reprod 2020 Jul 3. Epub 2020 Jul 3.

Department of Digestive Surgery, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France.

Study Question: What are the risk factors and prevalence of bowel fistula following surgical management of deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectosigmoid and how can it be managed?

Summary Answer: In patients managed for deep endometriosis of the rectosigmoid, risk of fistula is increased by bowel opening during both segmental colorectal resection and disc excision and rectovaginal fistula repair is more challenging than for bowel leakage.

What Is Known Already: Bowel fistula is known to be a severe complication of colorectal endometriosis surgery; however, there is little available data on its prevalence in large series or on specific management.

Study Design, Size, Duration: A retrospective study employing data prospectively recorded in the North-West Inter Regional Female Cohort for Patients with Endometriosis (CIRENDO) from June 2009 to May 2019, in three tertiary referral centres. Read More

J Surg Case Rep 2020 Jun 19;2020(6):rjaa064. Epub 2020 Jun 19.

General Surgery Residency, Hospital Episcopal San Lucas, Ponce, Puerto Rico.

This is an unusual case report of 32-year-old Hispanic male who presented with an early-onset advanced stage colorectal cancer with an enterovesical fistula. A 32-year-old man presented to our institution referring suprapubic pain, urinary frequency, dysuria and tenesmus for several weeks suggesting Gouverneur's syndrome. Patient had been treated with oral antibiotics for his recurrent urinary tract infections without resolution. Read More

J Pediatr Surg 2020 May 28. Epub 2020 May 28.

Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. Electronic address:

Purpose: To determine if minimal dissection of the posterior wall of rectum can reduce rectal prolapse after laparoscopic assisted anorectal pull-through (LAARP) in male anorectal malformation (ARM) with rectourethral fistula.

Methods: Eighty-six male patients with ARM who underwent LAARP in our center between 2007 and 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 45 cases of prostatic urethral fistula, 24 bulbar urethral fistulas, and 15 bladder neck fistulas. Read More

Urol Ann 2020 Apr-Jun;12(2):176-179. Epub 2020 Apr 14.

Department of Urology, TNMC and BYL Nair Ch. Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

This is a case report of 35-year-old male patient, who underwent abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer. There was postoperative wound complication which resulted in the formation of sinus in the perineal wound. During excision of the sinus tract, there was injury to the posterior urethra which leads to the formation of urethrocutaneous fistula presenting as urinary incontinence. Read More

Tech Coloproctol 2020 Jun 19. Epub 2020 Jun 19.

Department of Surgery, Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, Tilburg, The Netherlands.

Background: Loose setons are often utilized. Replacements after seton loss are frequent, but the exact incidence of this loss of seton (LOS) in patients is unknown. The aim of the present study was to assess the incidence of LOS in a population with complex anal fistula, comparing the knot-free loose seton with the conventional knotted loose seton. Read More

European J Pediatr Surg Rep 2020 Jan 14;8(1):e39-e44. Epub 2020 May 14.

Department of Paediatric Surgery, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

In patients with anorectal malformations and a colostomy, the high-pressure distal colostogram is the technique of choice to determine the type of malformation and thus to plan the surgical repair. Perforations associated with high-pressure distal colostograms are very rare. The aim of our study was to identify pitfalls to prevent perforation secondary to high-pressure distal colostogram. Read More

Br J Radiol 2020 Jul 15;93(1111):20200049. Epub 2020 Jun 15.

Department of Surgical Oncology, Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital & Research Institute, Road No 10, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana, India, 500034.

Objective: Genitourinary fistulas in pelvic malignancies are abnormal communications occurring due to either locally advanced tumours invading the surrounding organs or post-therapeutic complications of malignancies. In this article we review and describe the role of cross-sectional imaging findings in the management of genitourinary fistulas in pelvic malignancies.

Methods: A retrospective study, for the period January 2012 to December 2018, was undertaken in patients with pelvic malignancies having genitourinary fistulas. Read More

Tech Coloproctol 2020 Jun 14. Epub 2020 Jun 14.

Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8737 Beverly Blvd., Suite 101, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA.

Background: Complex anal fistula in Crohn's disease (CD) poses a challenging problem. We sought to evaluate long-term surgical healing of complex anal fistula in CD through the two robust repair options-ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) and advancement flap (AF).

Methods: A single-center retrospective study was conducted evaluating long-term healing rates in patients with CD with complex anal fistula undergoing LIFT or AF in 2008-2018. Read More

Int J Surg Case Rep 2020 May 30;72:147-152. Epub 2020 May 30.

Service d'urologie B, CHU Ibn Sina, Faculté de médecine et de pharmacie, Université Mohamed V, Rabat, Morocco.

Introduction: Rectovaginal fistula (RVF) is defined as an abnormal communication between the anterior wall of the rectum and the posterior wall of the vagina. Many surgical techniques have been described in the treatment of RVF. However, none has proved its superiority. Read More

Ann Surg 2020 Jun 9. Epub 2020 Jun 9.

Birmingham Clinical Trials Unit (BCTU), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.

Objective: To undertake a randomized comparison of the Biodesign Surgisis anal fistula plug against surgeon's preference in treating cryptoglandular transsphincteric fistula-in-ano.

Summary Background Data: The efficacy of the Biodesign Surgisis anal fistula plug in healing anal fistulae is uncertain.

Methods: Participants were randomized to the fistula plug with surgeon's preference (advancement flap, cutting seton, fistulotomy, Ligation of the Intersphincteric Fistula Tract procedure). Read More

JGH Open 2020 Jun 30;4(3):340-344. Epub 2019 Dec 30.

Department of Gastroenterology St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne Victoria Australia.

Perianal fistulas are a common and debilitating manifestation of Crohn's disease. Since the advent of biological agents, patient outcomes appear to have improved. While rates of clinical response and remission are well characterized in literature, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcomes remain less so. Read More

Int J Surg Case Rep 2020 May 30;72:41-44. Epub 2020 May 30.

Department of Gastroenterology, NYC Health + Hospitals/Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY 11235, United States.

Introduction: Retained rectal foreign bodies are commonly implicated in patients engaging in erotic behavior. The foreign bodies vary widely, however, penetrating rectal wounds are uncommon and often complicate the retrieval of the object. The rich vascular bed of the rectal mucosa provides additional bleeding complications. Read More

Arch Gynecol Obstet 2020 Aug 4;302(2):383-391. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Department of General and Gynecological Surgery, University Hospital Center (CHU)-Rangueil, 1 Avenue du Professeur Jean Poulhès, 31400, Toulouse, France.

Purpose: Identify a group with a high risk of postoperative complications after deep bowel endometriosis surgery.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on patients treated from 2012 to 2018 in two departments of gynecological surgery at the Toulouse University Hospital, France. The postoperative complications were evaluated in relation to the surgical management, associated with or without non-digestive surgical procedures, initial disease and patient's characteristics. Read More

Surg Neurol Int 2020 16;11:117. Epub 2020 May 16.

Pars Advanced and Minimally Invasive Medical Manners Research Center, Pars Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, R&D Committee Office, Pars Advanced and Minimally Invasive Medical Manners Research Center, Tehran, Iran, Islamic Republic of Iran.

Background: Anterior sacral meningocele (ASM) is a rare congenital anomaly. It is characterized by herniation of the dura through a defect in the anterior sacrum. Rarely, however, it may extend to the rectal area through a rectothecal fistula with or without rectorrhea. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2020 Jun 2;13(6). Epub 2020 Jun 2.

Department of Surgery, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Retrorectal cysts are cystic lesions located in the retrorectal space and are a distinct subset of retrorectal tumours, which are often misdiagnosed due to their rarity and mimicry of symptoms caused by common diseases. We have described the presentation and management of four patients who were diagnosed with retrorectal cysts from a 10-year retrospective chart review at our institute, a tertiary care centre. In middle-aged women, the following should raise suspicion of retrorectal cyst: gastrointestinal or urinary obstructive features, mass or fullness palpable on the posterior wall on digital rectal examination, presacral dimple, perianal fistula and/or recurrent disease. Read More

Urologe A 2020 Jul;59(7):825-828

Klinik für Kinderchirurgie und Kinderurologie, Kinderkrankenhaus Amsterdamer Straße, Amsterdamer Straße 59, 50735, Köln, Deutschland.

Aphallia is an extremely rare congenital malformation of unknown cause. The incidence is reported in the literature to be 1 in 10-30 million live births. Almost 100 cases have been described to date. Read More

Updates Surg 2020 May 24. Epub 2020 May 24.

Department of Surgery, IRCCS, Ospedale Sacro Cuore Don Calabria, Via Don A. Sempreboni 5, Negrar Di Valpolicella, 37024, Verona, Italy.

To analyze the role of stoma diversion and timing of stoma maintenance in the healing of post-surgical Recto Vaginal Fistulae (psRVF). A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained registry. All patients with a psRVF diagnosed at IRCCS Sacro Cuore-Don Calabria Hospital of Negrar di Valpolicella from January 2002 to December 2016 were analyzed. Read More

Tech Coloproctol 2020 07 21;24(7):777-778. Epub 2020 May 21.

Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2332 E. State Avenue, Phoenix, AZ, 85020-4734, USA.

J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A 2020 May 15. Epub 2020 May 15.

Department of Surgery, St. Mark's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.

The aim of this prospective, nonrandomized, observational study was to present our results in operative treatment of complex anal fistulas using video-assisted anal fistula treatment (VAAFT) procedure with a curative intent in 2 years follow-up period. Between March 2016 and March 2018, 73 patients underwent the VAAFT procedure. Postoperative follow-up was 2 years, up to March 2020. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2020 May;99(19):e20075

Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University.

The modified Van Assche magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based score is a feasible system to assess the clinical status of anal fistulas in Crohn disease. In this study, we evaluated this score's association with clinical status in patients with anal fistulas (AFs).We included all patients with AF who underwent contrast-enhanced pelvic MRI and surgery between January 2011 and December 2016. Read More

Int J Colorectal Dis 2020 Jul 5;35(7):1321-1330. Epub 2020 May 5.

Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, South Korea.

Purpose: Although multiple studies have examined anastomotic leakage (AL) after low anterior resection (LAR), their definitions of AL varied, and few have studied late diagnosed AL after surgery. This study aimed to characterize late AL after anal sphincter saving surgery (SSS) for rectal cancer by examining clinical characteristics, risk factors, and management of patients with late AL compared with early AL.

Methods: Data from January 2005 to December 2014 were collected from a total of 1903 consecutive patients who underwent anal sphincter saving surgery for rectal cancer and were retrospectively reviewed. Read More

J Minim Invasive Gynecol 2020 Apr 30. Epub 2020 Apr 30.

Endometriosis Center, Clinique Tivoli-Ducos, Bordeaux (Drs. Marabha, Merlot, Forestier, and Roman); Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus (Dr. Roman), Denmark.. Electronic address:

Study Objective: To report the technique of double disk excision of deep endometriosis nodules infiltrating the mid or low rectum and surgical outcomes.

Design: A retrospective case series using data prospectively recorded in the North-West Inter Regional Female Cohort for Patients with Endometriosis database.

Setting: University tertiary referral center. Read More

Colorectal Dis 2020 06 18;22(6):645-646. Epub 2020 May 18.

Minimally Invasive and GI Surgery, Policlinico Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.

J Anus Rectum Colon 2020 28;4(2):85-88. Epub 2020 Apr 28.

Department of Pathology, Sapporo Higashi Tokushukai Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.

A 60 year-old male was referred to the authors' hospital with a persistent urge to defecate. The patient had undergone stapled hemorrhoidopexy (SH) for the treatment of prolapsed hemorrhoids approximately 10 years earlier. He started to have difficulty with defecation and a false sense of urgency shortly after the surgery. Read More

J Pediatr Surg 2020 Apr 1. Epub 2020 Apr 1.

Pathology, Ca' Foncello Hospital, Treviso, Italy.

Purpose: Occurrence of Hirschsprung's disease in anorectal malformation (ARM) patients is rare, but many surgeons still ask to pathologists to search for ganglia in the terminal rectum/fistula; the histological procedure is time and money consuming and the results confounding. A consecutive series of ARM patients, in which the presence of ganglia in terminal rectum was revised, is herein presented.

Materials And Methods: Rectal specimens of ARM patients who underwent corrective surgery in the last 6 years were retrieved. Read More

Pan Afr Med J 2020 23;35:18. Epub 2020 Jan 23.

Department of Surgery, Pamukkale University Medical School, Denizli, Turkey.

Introduction: This pilot study aimed to document our results of treating anorectal abscesses with drainage plus loose seton for possible coexisting high fistulas or drainage plus fistulotomy for low tracts at the same operation.

Methods: Drainage plus fistulotomy were performed only in cases with subcutaneous mucosa, intersphincteric, or apparently low transsphincteric fistula tracts. For all other cases with high transsphincteric fistula or those with questionable sphincter involvement, a loose seton was placed through the tract. Read More

Tech Coloproctol 2020 07 24;24(7):695-701. Epub 2020 Apr 24.

Department of MedicoSurgical Proctology, Institut Léopold Bellan, Groupe Hospitalier Paris Saint-Joseph, Paris, France.

Background: An initial study enabled us to achieve 60% healing of high transsphincteric fistula-in-ano with laser ablation of fistula tract (LAFT) The purpose of this new study was to investigate other predictors of the success of this technique in the treatment of complex anoperineal fistulas.

Methods: All patients treated with LAFT in our department between May 2017 and October 2018 were included prospectively. LAFT was used for patients with complex anoperineal fistulas who were at high risk of anal incontinence after fistulotomy. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2020 Apr;99(17):e19659

Department of Colorectal Surgery, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.

Background: The number of citations a scientific paper has received indicates its impact within any medical field. We performed a bibliometric analysis to highlight the key topics of the most frequently cited 100 articles on perianal fistula to determine the advances in this field.

Methods: The Scopus database was searched from 1960 to 2018 using the search terms "perianal fistula" or "anal fistula" or "fistula in ano" or "anal fistulae" or "anorectal fistulae" including full articles. Read More

Mil Med 2020 Apr 21. Epub 2020 Apr 21.

Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS)/Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Wisconsin Ave, Bethesda, MD 20889.

Introduction: Anorectal diseases, among the most common surgical conditions, are underrepresented in medical training. The Fundamentals of Anorectal Technical Skills course was developed to provide cost-effective formal training in diagnosis of common anorectal conditions and in commonly performed anorectal procedures using the theories of deliberative practice and perceptual and adaptive learning.

Materials And Methods: First- through third-year general surgery and internal medicine residents and third- and fourth-year medical students participated in a course consisting of didactic instruction and hands on skills stations. Read More

Pol Przegl Chir 2020 Feb;92(2):29-33

Klinika Chirurgii Dziecięcej i Transplantacji Narządów, Instytut "Pomnik - Centrum Zdrowia Dziecka", Warszawa.

Introduction: Perianal abscess and fistula-in-ano are common findings in infants and children. The perianal abscess is usually a manifestation of a fistula-in-ano. Experience of our center indicates general lack of knowledge of the origin of the abscess and therefore, it is usually treated by incision and drainage, which leads to repeated recurrences. Read More

Eur J Case Rep Intern Med 2020 12;7(4):001482. Epub 2020 Mar 12.

Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, USA.

Oesophageal varices are a dilated submucosal venous plexus in the lower third of the oesophagus which result from increased pressure in the portal venous system. The portal system is connected to the systemic circulation in specific locations referred to as sites of portosystemic anastomosis. An increase in portal venous pressure is therefore reflected at these anastomotic sites, causing manifestations such as oesophageal varices, rectal varices, caput medusae and splenorenal shunts. Read More

Mo Med 2020 Mar-Apr;117(2):154-158

Rakesh Hegde, MD, John M. Trombold, MD & José M. Dominguez, MD, MSMA member since 1996, are in the Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Ferrell-Duncan Clinic, CoxHealth, Springfield, Missouri.

Anorectal conditions are one of the most common problems evaluated by primary care physicians. Most patients present with rectal pain, rectal bleeding, or purulent drainage per rectum. Colorectal conditions have overlapping symptoms. Read More

Eur Radiol 2020 Apr 19. Epub 2020 Apr 19.

Department of Radiology, Concord Hospital, Sydney, Australia.

Objectives: To develop imaging guidelines for patients with fistula-in-ano and other causes of anal sepsis.

Methods: An expert group of 13 members of the European Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology (ESGAR) used a modified Delphi process to vote on a series of consensus statements relating to the imaging of patients with potential anal sepsis. Participants first completed a questionnaire to gather practice information and to help frame the statements posed. Read More

Tech Coloproctol 2020 07 18;24(7):775-776. Epub 2020 Apr 18.

St. Joseph's Hospital, Mariyam Nagar, Ghaziabad, 201002, India.

J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A 2020 Apr 17. Epub 2020 Apr 17.

Department of General Surgery, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China.

Currarino syndrome (CS) is characterized by the triad of sacral anomalies, presacral tumor, and anorectal malformation (ARM). This study evaluates the feasibility and outcomes of laparoscopic-assisted anorectal pull-through (LAARP) for CS. Children admitted for primary or redo repair of CS through LAARP between 2016 and 2019 were reviewed. Read More

BMC Res Notes 2020 Apr 16;13(1):214. Epub 2020 Apr 16.

Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, P.O. Box 271, Kynsey Road, Colombo 8, Western Province, Sri Lanka.

Objective: Flexible sigmoidoscopy is useful to look for an underlying aetiology in fistula-in-ano. This study was aimed to assess the yield of routine flexible sigmoidoscopy in patients presenting with fistula-in-ano. A retrospective analysis of 159 consecutive patients with fistula-in-ano who underwent routine flexible sigmoidoscopy was performed. Read More

Pak J Med Sci 2020 Mar-Apr;36(3):456-460

Dr. Naima Rasool, FCPS, FRCS, FACS, Professor of Pediatric Surgery Fazia Ruth Pfao Medical College, PAF base Mansoor and Base Faisal Hospitals, Karachi, Pakistan.

Objective: To document our experience of the primary anterior sagittal anorectoplasty (ASARP) in female patients with lower and wide fistula in term of the early post operative outcome.

Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted in one surgical unit of the National Institute of Child Health Karachi, from January 2010 to April 2018. The study included female patients with diagnosis of imperforate anus with wide Vestibular or Perineal fistula with minimal or no straining during defecation and no excoriation of perineum. Read More

Dis Colon Rectum 2020 Jul;63(7):1000

Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, Illinois.

J Gastrointest Surg 2020 Apr 6. Epub 2020 Apr 6.

Department of Surgical Oncology, Edward-Elmhurst Health, 120 Spalding Drive, Ste 205, Naperville, IL, 60540, USA.

Introduction: Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) drives morbidity and mortality following pancreatectomy. Use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has recently increased in the treatment of potentially resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This study examined the effect of NAC on POPF rates and postoperative outcomes in PDAC. Read More

Clin Exp Pediatr 2020 Mar 23. Epub 2020 Mar 23.

Department of Pediatric Surgery, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, South Korea.

J Int Med Res 2020 Apr;48(4):300060520914835

Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Luoyang Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Luoyang, Henan, China.

Dis Colon Rectum 2020 Jul;63(7):927-933

Department of Colon & Rectal Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.

Background: Risk factors for pouch survival may or may not have a linear relationship with pouch loss over time. Conditional survival is a method to describe these nonlinear time-to-event relationships by reporting the expected survival at various time points.

Objective: The aim of this study was to calculate conditional pouch survival based on occurrence of risk factors for pouch loss. Read More

Urologe A 2020 Apr;59(4):489-498

Klinik und Poliklinik für Urologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Deutschland.

Vesicovaginal fistulas are a rare problem in the western world but are frequent occurrences in developing countries. In Germany the most frequent cause is hysterectomy. Vesicovaginal fistulas can be treated by the transvaginal or transabdominal approach depending on the characteristics of the fistula and the patient. Read More

Am J Surg 2020 04 11;219(4):592-597. Epub 2020 Mar 11.

Nationwide Children's Hospital, Division of Pediatric Surgery, 700 Children's Dr., Columbus, OH, 43205, USA; The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Department of Surgery, 395 W. 12th Ave, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA. Electronic address:

Background: The aim of this study was to determine whether acute histologic inflammatory activity at the rectal margin predicts postoperative complications in children with ulcerative colitis following ileal pouch-anal anastomoses (IPAA).

Methods: Patients who underwent IPAA following previous total abdominal colectomy for ulcerative colitis between 2006 and 2014 were included. Data collected included demographics, operative and postoperative data, histologic grading of the rectal margin at time of IPAA, and stooling outcomes at one, six and 12 months following ileostomy closure. Read More

J Radiol Case Rep 2019 Nov 30;13(11):18-23. Epub 2019 Nov 30.

Department of Radiology, San Vicente Fundación University Hospital, Medellin, Colombia.

Colopericardial fistulae constitute a condition with a very low prevalence and a high morbidity and mortality rate. In this case report, we discuss an 80-year-old male patient who presented to emergency services for massive rectal bleeding and signs of hypovolemic shock. Abdominal arteriography and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were negative for bleeding. Read More

Stem Cell Res Ther 2020 Mar 17;11(1):124. Epub 2020 Mar 17.

Colorectal Disease Center of Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210022, Jiangsu Province, China.

Background: Crohn's fistula-in-ano is a refractory disease in colorectal and anal surgery. Although autologous adipose-derived stem cell (ADSC) has been used in the treatment of Crohn's fistula-in-ano because of its convenience, non-incision of normal tissue, good tolerance, repeatability, quick recovery, less pain, less damage to anal function, and high quality of life during the perioperative period, there are no reports of its use in China. This is the first clinical trial in China on the treatment of Crohn's fistula-in-ano with ADSC to evaluate its efficacy and safety. Read More

Ann Coloproctol 2020 Apr 16;36(2):112-118. Epub 2020 Mar 16.

Division of Colorectal Surgery, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, the Philippines.

Purpose: We determined the outcomes of patients undergoing video-assisted anal fistula treatment (VAAFT) for fistulain-ano at the Philippine General Hospital.

Methods: Twenty consecutive adult patients who underwent the VAAFT procedure from 2016-2018 were included in this investigation. Information detailing baseline demographic and clinical data, fistula type and classification, and previous surgeries were retrieved from in-hospital and operative records. Read More

J Gastrointest Oncol 2020 Feb;11(1):187-202

Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Background: Radiotherapy (RT) is part of the standard of care management of most gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. Even with advanced RT, systemic therapy, and surgical techniques, locoregional recurrences or second primary cancers can still occur within previously irradiated fields, which can present challenges in delivering effective and safe treatment. Options for reirradiation are often limited, but given the favorable dosimetric aspects of proton-beam RT, it may provide an effective and safe re-irradiation option for patients with recurrent or second primary GI cancers. Read More