Between 2000 and 2007, a total of 77 consecutive patients with low rectal cancer underwent curative ISR. The curability outcomes for ISR, LAR, and APR were compared. We evaluated

the postoperative defecation functions, Wexner incontinence score (WIS), and defecation quality of life (QOL) for a between-groups comparison (ISR/LAR). The 5-year survival rate after ISR was 76.4 %, and the outcome was better than for APR (APR 51.2 %, LAR 80.7 %). Local recurrence after ISR occurred in 7.8 % of patients (APR PF-03084014 datasheet 12.1 %, LAR 11.7 %). The average daily frequency of defecation was 3.7 times for the ISR patients and 3.2 times for the LAR patients, indicating no significant difference between the groups. Moreover, there

were no significant differences between the groups for defecation functions. The WIS was 8.1 for ISR and 4.9 for LAR, and the defecation QOL for ISR and LAR was not significantly different (modified fecal incontinence QOL score: ISR 34.3, LAR 26.5). The long-term clinical and functional results suggest that ISR may be the optimal sphincter-preserving surgery for patients with lower rectal cancers who cannot be treated with a double-stapling technique.”
“Objectives To examine the performance of a new reference line for the assessment of pelvic organ descent by transperineal ultrasound. Methods We compared our newly proposed reference line, between two hyperechoic contours EPZ5676 inhibitor of the symphysis pubis (Line 3), with the horizontal reference line proposed by Dietz and Wilson (Line 1) and the central pubic line proposed by Schaer et al. (Line 2). Ultrasound volumes of 94 women obtained in routine clinical practice were analyzed. The perpendicular distance from the reference lines to the internal Apoptosis inhibitor sphincter

and the most dependent part of the bladder base was measured for volumes obtained at rest, on pelvic floor muscle contraction, on Valsalva maneuver and during coughing. Measurements were repeated 4 months later by the same examiner. Rates of assessment were calculated, and intrarater reliability was evaluated using Bland-Altman plots and intraclass correlation coefficients. Results Line 2 had to be excluded from reliability analysis because of an assessment rate of only 12%, whereas Lines 1 and 3 could be assessed in 100% of volumes. The intrarater repeatability of Lines 1 and 3 was shown to be very similar. Conclusion In this comparison of three potential reference lines for the assessment of pelvic organ descent by transperineal ultrasound, the central pubic line was shown to be inferior owing to poor visibility in our volumes. Inter-rater reliability analysis and validation studies are required to confirm our results. Copyright (C) 2014 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.”
“BackgroundHemipelvectomy is a major operation with significant risks including infection, prosthesis failure and fracture.