BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leakage (AL) represents a major complication after rectal low anterior resection (LAR). Transanal drainage tube (TDT) placement offers a potential strategy for AL prevention; however, its efficacy and safety remain contentious.
METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were used to evaluate the influence of TDT subsequent to LAR as part of the revision of the surgical site infection prevention guidelines of the Japanese Society of Surgical Infectious Diseases (PROSPERO registration; CRD42023476655). We searched each database, and included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies (OBSs) comparing TDT and non-TDT outcomes. The main outcome was AL. Data were independently extracted by three authors and random-effects models were implemented.
RESULTS: A total of three RCTs and 18 OBSs were included. RCTs reported no significant difference in AL rate between the TDT and non-TDT groups [relative risk (RR): 0.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.42-1.15]. OBSs reported that TDT reduced AL risk [odds ratio (OR): 0.45, 95% CI 0.31-0.64]. In the subgroup excluding diverting stoma (DS), TDT significantly lowered the AL rate in RCTs (RR: 0.57, 95% CI 0.33-0.99) and OBSs (OR: 0.41, 95% CI 0.27-0.62). Reoperation rates were significantly lower in the TDT without DS groups in both RCTs (RR: 0.26, 95% CI 0.07-0.94) and OBSs (OR: 0.40, 95% CI 0.24-0.66). TDT groups exhibited a higher anastomotic bleeding rate only in RCTs (RR: 4.28, 95% CI 2.14-8.54), while shorter hospital stays were observed in RCTs [standard mean difference (SMD): -0.44, 95% CI -0.65 to -0.23] and OBSs (SMD: -0.54, 95% CI -0.97 to -0.11) compared with the non-TDT group.
CONCLUSIONS: A universal TDT placement cannot be recommended for all rectal LAR patients. Some patients may benefit from TDT, such as patients without DS creation. Further investigation is necessary to identify the specific beneficiaries.

BACKGROUND: Townes-Brocks syndrome (TBS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by imperforate anus, dysplastic ears, thumb malformations, and other abnormalities. Previous studies have revealed that mutations in the SALL1 gene can disrupt normal development, resulting in the characteristic features of Townes-Brocks syndrome. Spalt-like transcription factors (SALLs) are highly conserved proteins that play important roles in various cellular processes, including embryonic development, cell differentiation, and cell survival. Over 400 different variants or mutations have been reported in the SALL1 gene in individuals with TBS. Most of these variants lead to the formation of premature termination codons (PTCs), also known as nonsense mutations. The majority of these PTCs occur in a specific region of the SALL1 gene called the \"hotspot region\", which is particularly susceptible to mutation.
METHODS: In this study, we conducted whole-exome sequencing on a three-generation Chinese family with anorectal malformations.
RESULTS: We identified a novel heterozygous mutation (chr16:51175376:c.757 C > T p.Gln253*) in the SALL1 gene. Molecular analysis revealed a heterozygous C to T transition at nucleotide position 757 in exon 2 of the SALL1 (NM_002968) gene. This mutation is predicted to result in the substitution of the Gln253 codon with a premature stop codon (p.Gln253*). The glutamine-rich domain forms a long alpha helix, enabling the mutant protein to interact with the wild-type SALL1 protein. This interaction may result in steric hindrance effects on the wild-type SALL1 protein.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings have expanded the mutation database of the SALL1 gene, which is significant for genetic counseling and clinical surveillance in the affected family. Furthermore, our study enhances the understanding of Townes-Brocks syndrome and has the potential to improve its diagnosis and treatment.

UNASSIGNED: Anorectal diseases and pelvic floor disorders are prevalent among the general population. Patients may present with overlapping symptoms, delaying diagnosis, and lowering quality of life. Treating physicians encounter numerous challenges attributed to the complex nature of pelvic anatomy, limitations of diagnostic techniques, and lack of available resources. This article is an overview of the current state of artificial intelligence (AI) in tackling the difficulties of managing benign anorectal disorders and pelvic floor disorders.
UNASSIGNED: A systematic literature review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We searched the PubMed database to identify all potentially relevant studies published from January 2000 to August 2023. Search queries were built using the following terms: AI, machine learning, deep learning, benign anorectal disease, pelvic floor disorder, fecal incontinence, obstructive defecation, anal fistula, rectal prolapse, and anorectal manometry. Malignant anorectal articles and abstracts were excluded. Data from selected articles were analyzed.
UNASSIGNED: 139 articles were found, 15 of which met our inclusion and exclusion criteria. The most common AI module was convolutional neural network. researchers were able to develop AI modules to optimize imaging studies for pelvis, fistula, and abscess anatomy, facilitated anorectal manometry interpretation, and improved high-definition anoscope use. None of the modules were validated in an external cohort.
UNASSIGNED: There is potential for AI to enhance the management of pelvic floor and benign anorectal diseases. Ongoing research necessitates the use of multidisciplinary approaches and collaboration between physicians and AI programmers to tackle pressing challenges.

Chronic pelvic pain is a hidden issue which needs to involve many different usually uncoordinated specialists. For this reason there is a risk that treatments, in the absence of well-defined pathways, common goals, and terminology, may be poorly effective. The aim of the present paper is to summarize the evidence on anorectal pelvic pain, offering useful evidence-based practice parameters for colorectal surgeons\' daily activity. Analysis of chronic anorectal and pelvic pain syndromes, the diagnostic and clinical optimal needs for evaluation, and the innumerable low evidence treatments and therapeutic options currently available suggests that a multimodal individualized management of pain may be the most promising approach. The limited availability of dedicated centers still negatively affects the applicability of these principles.

Before the \"mesorectal\" theory was proposed, the traditional anatomy believed that the \"pelvirectal space\" belonged to the anal canal and perirectal space, which was independent of the rectal structure, located on both sides of the rectum, above the levator ani, and below the peritoneal reflexion, and was composed of a large amount of fatty tissue filling. With the development of the theory of membrane anatomy and the clarification of the concept of \"rectal mesentery\", combined with the author\'s clinical experience, we found that the above-mentioned fat is actually the fat within the mesorectum, as well as the fat tissue of lateral lymph nodes (LLN) such as the internal iliac lymph nodes (No.263) and obturator lymph nodes (No.283) on both sides of the rectal mesentery, rather than the so-called fat tissue within the interstitial space. Therefore, the author believes that the pelvirectal space does not exist. In the anatomical location equivalent to the pelvic rectal space, there is the \"superior levator ani space\" based on the membrane anatomy theory. From the pelvirectal space to the superior levator anal space, it reflects our further understanding of the anatomy of the rectal mesentery.
在提出“直肠系膜”理论之前，传统解剖学认为“骨盆直肠间隙”属肛管、直肠周围间隙，其独立于直肠结构之外，位于直肠两侧的、肛提肌上方的、腹膜反折下方的间隙，由大量脂肪组织填充组成。而随着膜解剖理论的发展、“直肠系膜”概念的明确，结合笔者临床经验，我们发现上述的脂肪其实是直肠系膜内的脂肪，及直肠系膜两侧的髂内淋巴结（No.263）和闭孔淋巴结（No.283）等侧方淋巴结脂肪组织，并不是所谓间隙内的脂肪组织。因此，笔者认为骨盆直肠间隙是不存在的，在相当于骨盆直肠间隙的解剖位置，存在的是基于膜解剖理论的“肛提肌上间隙”。从骨盆直肠间隙到肛提肌上间隙，体现的是我们对于直肠系膜的解剖认识的进一步升华。.

目的： 探讨腹腔镜直肠癌前切除术后双肛管引流预防吻合口漏的安全性和有效性。 方法： 采用描述性病例系列研究方法。2019年7月至2023年7月期间，山东大学附属威海市立医院胃肠外科对131例直肠癌患者采用双吻合技术顺利完成了腹腔镜直肠癌前切除术，术后不进行肛管间断冲洗，采用双肛管引流预防吻合口漏，同时应用亚甲蓝联合罗哌卡因皮下神经阻滞缓解双肛管带来的肛周疼痛。观察术后吻合口漏发生情况和术后肛门疼痛情况。 结果： 所有患者均未出现中转开腹及围手术期死亡情况。术后肛门疼痛评分（2.9±0.4）分。术后发生吻合口漏3例（2.3%），其中1例患者为C级吻合口漏，紧急行二次开腹手术，行横结肠造口术，术后恢复良好出院；余2例患者均经保守治疗后好转出院。 结论： 双肛管引流能够降低直肠癌前切除术后吻合口漏的发生率，经局部镇痛处理可缓解肛门不适症状。.

Rectal MRI provides a detailed depiction of pelvic anatomy; specifically, the relationship of the tumor to key anatomic structures, including the mesorectal fascia, anterior peritoneal reflection, and sphincter complex. However, anatomic inconsistencies, pitfalls, and confusion exist, which can have a strong impact on interpretation and treatment. These areas of confusion include the definition of the rectum itself, specifically differentiation of the rectum from the anal canal and the sigmoid colon, and delineation of the high versus low rectum. Other areas of confusion include the relative locations of the mesorectal fascia and peritoneum and their significance in staging and treatment, the difference between the mesorectal fascia and circumferential resection margin, involvement of the sphincter complex, and evaluation of lateral pelvic lymph nodes. The impact of these anatomic inconsistencies and sources of confusion is significant, given the importance of MRI in depicting the anatomic relationship of the tumor to critical pelvic structures, to triage surgical resection and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with the goal of minimizing local recurrence. Evolving treatment paradigms also place MRI central in management of rectal cancer. ©RSNA, 2024.

UNASSIGNED: Perianal ulcers (PAUs) related to antihemorrhoidal product use have been recently reported in the literature through a few case reports. However, other etiologies of PAU must be ruled out, including infectious disease, inflammatory disease, malignancy, pressure injuries, radiotherapy, and other topical drugs. In this report, the authors describe two cases of PAUs due to an antihemorrhoidal ointment. In case 1, a 68-year-old woman with a history of hemorrhoids presented with PAUs after using an antihemorrhoidal ointment for 2 months. The ulcers were assessed through a histopathologic study and treated with calcium alginate dressings, with complete re-epithelialization occurring after 2 months. In case 2, a 58-year-old woman with a history of hemorrhoids developed painful PAUs while using an antihemorrhoidal ointment for 2 months. No other probable cause was found, and the ulcers were treated by discontinuing the ointment. The ulcers showed marked improvement, and complete re-epithelialization occurred after 6 weeks without additional treatment.

Hemorrhoid disease is a common anorectal disorder affecting populations worldwide, with high prevalence, treatment difficulties, and considerable treatment costs. Compared to other treatment options, medical therapy for hemorrhoids offers minimal harm, more dignity to patients, and is more economical. Unfortunately, there are few chemical hemorrhoid medications available clinically, which makes the search for efficacious, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly new medication classes a focal point of research. In this context, searching for available natural products to improve hemorrhoids exhibits tremendous potential. These products are derived from nature, predominantly from plants, with a minor portion coming from animals, fungi, and algae. They have excellent coagulation pathway regulation, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and tissue regeneration activities. Therefore, we take the view that they are a class of potential hemorrhoid drugs, prevention products, and medication add-on ingredients. This article first reviews the factors contributing to the development of hemorrhoids, types, primary symptoms, and the mechanisms of natural products for hemorrhoids. Building on this foundation, we screened natural products with potential hemorrhoid improvement activity, including polyphenols and flavonoids, terpenes, polysaccharides, and other types.

OBJECTIVE: Coloanal anastomosis with loop diverting ileostomy (CAA) is an option for low anterior resection of the rectum, and Turnbull-Cutait coloanal anastomosis (TCA) regained popularity in the effort to offer patients a reconstructive option. In this context, we aimed to compare both techniques.
METHODS: PubMed, Cochrane, and Scopus were searched for studies published until January 2024. Odds ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled with a random-effects model. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochran Q test and I2 statistics, with p-values inferior to 0.10 and I2 >25% considered significant. Statistical analysis was conducted in RStudio version 4.1.2 (R Foundation for Statistical Computing). Registered number CRD42024509963.
RESULTS: One randomized controlled trial and nine observational studies were included, comprising 1,743 patients, of whom 899 (51.5%) were submitted to TCA and 844 (48.5%) to CAA. Most patients had rectal cancer (52.2%), followed by megacolon secondary to Chagas disease (32.5%). TCA was associated with increased colon ischemia (OR 3.54; 95% CI 1.13 to 11.14; p < 0.031; I2 = 0%). There were no differences in postoperative complications classified as Clavien-Dindo ≥ IIIb, anastomotic leak, pelvic abscess, intestinal obstruction, bleeding, permanent stoma, or anastomotic stricture. In subgroup analysis of patients with cancer, TCA was associated with a reduction in anastomotic leak (OR 0.55; 95% CI 0.31 to 0.97 p = 0.04; I2 = 34%).
CONCLUSIONS: TCA was associated with a decrease in anastomotic leak rate in subgroups analysis of patients with cancer.