Whilst fruits and vegetables are an essential part of our dietary intake, the role of fiber in the prevention of colorectal diseases remains controversial. The main feature of a high-fiber diet is its poor digestibili...Whilst fruits and vegetables are an essential part of our dietary intake, the role of fiber in the prevention of colorectal diseases remains controversial. The main feature of a high-fiber diet is its poor digestibility. Soluble fiber like pectins, guar and ispaghula produce viscous solutions in the gastrointestinal tract delaying small bowel absorption and transit. Insoluble fiber, on the other hand, pass largely unaltered through the gut. The more fiber is ingested, the more stools will have to be passed. Fermentation in the intestines results in build up of large amounts of gases in the colon. This article reviews the physiology of ingestion of fiber and defecation. It also looks into the impact of dietary fiber on various colorectal diseases. A strong case cannot be made for a protective effect of dietary fiber against colorectal polyp or cancer. Neither has fiber been found to be useful in chronic constipation and irritable bowel syndrome. It is also not useful in the treatment of perianal conditions. The diverticulosis theory should also be challenged. The authors urge clinicians to keep an open mind about fiber. One must be aware of the truths and myths about fiber before recommending it.展开更多
A 75-year-old male presented with difficult defecationand increasing urinary frequency over a few months. He had a significant history of previous partial gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma 20 years prior. Computed tom...A 75-year-old male presented with difficult defecationand increasing urinary frequency over a few months. He had a significant history of previous partial gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma 20 years prior. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis showed extensive lymphadenopathy, a gastric mass and rectal as well as bladder wall thickening with bilateral ureterohydronephrosis. Normal looking serosal surfaces of the bladder and bowel were seen on laparoscopy and a defunctioning ileostomy was created. Gastroscopy revealed a malignant mass while cystoscopy and sigmoidscopy found extensive tumour growth lining the mucosal surfaces. Biopsies from all sites were compatible with intestinal type adenocarcinoma of gastric origin with few signet ring cells. Metabolic response to palliative chemotherapy was good and the patient's symptoms have improved on follow-up four months post ileostomy. We discuss the immunohistochemical profile of the tumour and review the literature.展开更多
A chronic anal fissure is a common perianal condition.This review aims to evaluate both existing and new therapies in the treatment of chronic fissures.Pharmacological therapies such as glyceryl trinitrate(GTN),Diltia...A chronic anal fissure is a common perianal condition.This review aims to evaluate both existing and new therapies in the treatment of chronic fissures.Pharmacological therapies such as glyceryl trinitrate(GTN),Diltiazem ointment and Botulinum toxin provide a relatively non-invasive option,but with higher recurrence rates.Lateral sphincterotomy remains the gold standard for treatment.Anal dilatation has no role in treatment.New therapies include perineal support devices,Gonyautoxin injection,fissurectomy,fissurotomy,sphincterolysis,and flap procedures.Further research is required comparing these new therapies with existing established therapies.This paper recommends initial pharmacological therapy with GTN or Diltiazem ointment with Botulinum toxin as a possible second line pharmacological therapy.Perineal support may offer a new dimension in improving healing rates.Lateral sphincterotomy should be offered if pharmacological therapy fails.New therapies are not suitable as first line treatments,though they can be considered if conventional treatment fails.展开更多
The advent of total mesorectal excision(TME)together with minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopic colorectal surgery and robotic surgery has improved surgical results.However,the incidence of bladder and se...The advent of total mesorectal excision(TME)together with minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopic colorectal surgery and robotic surgery has improved surgical results.However,the incidence of bladder and sexual dysfunction remains high.This may be particularly distressing for the patient and troublesome to manage for the surgeon when it does occur.The increased use of neoadjuvant and adjuvant radiotherapy is also associated with poorer functional outcomes.In this review,we evaluate current understanding of the anatomy of pelvic nerves which are divided into the areas of the inferior mesenteric artery pedicle,the lateral pelvic wall and dissection around the urogenital organs.Surgical techniques in these areas are discussed.We also discuss the results in functional outcomes of the various techniques including open,laparoscopic and robotic over the last 30 years.展开更多
文摘Whilst fruits and vegetables are an essential part of our dietary intake, the role of fiber in the prevention of colorectal diseases remains controversial. The main feature of a high-fiber diet is its poor digestibility. Soluble fiber like pectins, guar and ispaghula produce viscous solutions in the gastrointestinal tract delaying small bowel absorption and transit. Insoluble fiber, on the other hand, pass largely unaltered through the gut. The more fiber is ingested, the more stools will have to be passed. Fermentation in the intestines results in build up of large amounts of gases in the colon. This article reviews the physiology of ingestion of fiber and defecation. It also looks into the impact of dietary fiber on various colorectal diseases. A strong case cannot be made for a protective effect of dietary fiber against colorectal polyp or cancer. Neither has fiber been found to be useful in chronic constipation and irritable bowel syndrome. It is also not useful in the treatment of perianal conditions. The diverticulosis theory should also be challenged. The authors urge clinicians to keep an open mind about fiber. One must be aware of the truths and myths about fiber before recommending it.
文摘A 75-year-old male presented with difficult defecationand increasing urinary frequency over a few months. He had a significant history of previous partial gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma 20 years prior. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis showed extensive lymphadenopathy, a gastric mass and rectal as well as bladder wall thickening with bilateral ureterohydronephrosis. Normal looking serosal surfaces of the bladder and bowel were seen on laparoscopy and a defunctioning ileostomy was created. Gastroscopy revealed a malignant mass while cystoscopy and sigmoidscopy found extensive tumour growth lining the mucosal surfaces. Biopsies from all sites were compatible with intestinal type adenocarcinoma of gastric origin with few signet ring cells. Metabolic response to palliative chemotherapy was good and the patient's symptoms have improved on follow-up four months post ileostomy. We discuss the immunohistochemical profile of the tumour and review the literature.
文摘A chronic anal fissure is a common perianal condition.This review aims to evaluate both existing and new therapies in the treatment of chronic fissures.Pharmacological therapies such as glyceryl trinitrate(GTN),Diltiazem ointment and Botulinum toxin provide a relatively non-invasive option,but with higher recurrence rates.Lateral sphincterotomy remains the gold standard for treatment.Anal dilatation has no role in treatment.New therapies include perineal support devices,Gonyautoxin injection,fissurectomy,fissurotomy,sphincterolysis,and flap procedures.Further research is required comparing these new therapies with existing established therapies.This paper recommends initial pharmacological therapy with GTN or Diltiazem ointment with Botulinum toxin as a possible second line pharmacological therapy.Perineal support may offer a new dimension in improving healing rates.Lateral sphincterotomy should be offered if pharmacological therapy fails.New therapies are not suitable as first line treatments,though they can be considered if conventional treatment fails.
文摘The advent of total mesorectal excision(TME)together with minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopic colorectal surgery and robotic surgery has improved surgical results.However,the incidence of bladder and sexual dysfunction remains high.This may be particularly distressing for the patient and troublesome to manage for the surgeon when it does occur.The increased use of neoadjuvant and adjuvant radiotherapy is also associated with poorer functional outcomes.In this review,we evaluate current understanding of the anatomy of pelvic nerves which are divided into the areas of the inferior mesenteric artery pedicle,the lateral pelvic wall and dissection around the urogenital organs.Surgical techniques in these areas are discussed.We also discuss the results in functional outcomes of the various techniques including open,laparoscopic and robotic over the last 30 years.
