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INTRODUCTION: Duplication of the gallbladder is a rare congenital anomaly. An incidence of 2.5 : 10 000 has been published in autoptic stud-ies. METHODS: We carried out an analysis of the published case reports of the last 30 years to examine those cases in which an accessory gallbladder was pre- or intraoperatively detected or missed and to evaluate the implications of the time of diagnosis of the duplication on the surgical therapy. RESULTS: 28 case reports were analysed. If the duplication of the gallbladder was recognised pre-operatively or during operation, both gallbladders could be removed via laparoscopy in 80 % of the cases. Missing the second gallbladder can lead to persisting symptoms, postoperative complica-tions as well as a recrudescence of the chole-cystolithiasis with following reoperation. If a re-op-era-tion for a missed second gallbladder was -necessary, only 14.3 % of these operations could be performed via laparoscopy. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a missed gall-bladder duplication with an acute cholecystitis causing a reoperation 17 years after the initial operation. A laparoscopic cholecystectomy was possible even though the initial operation was performed through open surgery. CONCLUSION: If recognised in preoperative examinations or during surgery a laparoscopic cholecystectomy of both gallbladders is possible in the majority of cases with duplicated gallbladder.

AIM The purpose of the present study was to define the diagnostic value of anal endosonography in the diagnostic work-up of fistula-in-ano. METHODS A retrospective study was carried out on 191 consecutive patients (m: 121; f: 70; mean age: 44.0 +/- 12.5 years; range: 0.5-77 years) who were diagnosed to suffer from fistula-in-ano by performing anal endosonography in an outpatient setting. All images were obtained with a Combison 310A ultrasound scanner (Kretz GmbH, Zipf, Osterreich) and 5-Mhz and 7.5-MHz transducer. 131 patients underwent surgery. According to the endosonographic findings fistulas were classified as transsphincteric in 44 %, intersphincteric in 22 %, subanodermal in 16 %, anovaginal in 8 %, suprasphincteric in 5 %, extrasphincteric in 1 % and others in 4 %. RESULTS In 125 patients (95 %) the preoperative diagnosis was confirmed intraoperatively. This cohort included 12 patients with a complex fistula system. In only 6 patients the preoperative ultrasound finding was misinterpreted. CONCLUSION In conclusion this study has shown that anal endosonography is a useful and reliable tool in the preoperative evaluation of uncomplicated and complicated anorectal fistulas.

AIM We tried to evaluate the role of anorectal functional diagnostic tools according to the judgement of German coloproctologists. METHOD Questionnaires concerning accuracy of different diagnostic tests were sent to 585 physicians specialized in coloproctology. RESULTS 261 (44.6 %) completed forms were returned. An analysis of the answers revealed that endorectal sonography is widely (73 %) regarded as useful and reliable diagnostic tool. Though manometry is still frequently used, only 50.5 % of the coloproctologists made their decision concerning the further treatment depending on the results of this method. Other radiologic methods as defecography and colon transit time are still regularly performed, though video-defecography is not accepted by most coloproctologists. Neurological investigations as pudendal nerve terminal latency, surface-EMG and needle-EMG are exclusively applied in specialized departments. DISCUSSION Regarding the variety of diagnostic tools and its different appraisal a consensus should be defined. The usefulness of neurological examination techniques needs to be clarified before their performance can be recommended for a wide-spread routine work up.

Background & aim Duodeno-gastro-esophageal reflux (DGER) as measured with bilirubin monitoring is observed in many patients with reflux disease especially in Barrett's esophagus. As acid suppression is an effective therapy of reflux disease, DGER is frequently just considered as a bystander of acid reflux. To define the importance of DGER, reflux of duodenal contents was evaluated by bilirubin monitoring in the stomach. Methods 100 patients with reflux disease were evaluated (62 m, 38 f, 50 (12) years). 26 patients had Barrett's esophagus, 57 had esophagitis and 17 non- erosive reflux disease (pH pos.). All patients were evaluated with simultaneous 24-hour bilirubin monitoring in the esophagus and stomach. Results were compared to 35 measurements of healthy volunteers in the esophagus and 41 measurements in the stomach. Results Normal values: DGER - Exposure time esophagus > 11.8 % using an absorbance value > 0.14, duodenogastric reflux (DGR) - Exposure time stomach >24.8 % using an absorbance value > 0.25. 56 % of the patients had DGER, 41 % had DGR. 29 of the 41 patients with DGR had DGER (71 %), while 27 of the 56 patients with DGER had physiologic duodenogastric reflux (48 %). Discussion About 30 % of the patients with reflux disease show DGER combined with excessive DGR. Therefore, DGER is not just a bystander of acid reflux. The excessive DGR in some patients adds additional potentially dangerous substances to the esophageal reflux.

Duplication of the gallbladder is a rare congenital anomaly. An incidence of 2.5:10,000 has been published in autoptic studies.We carried out an analysis of the published case reports of the last 30 years to examine those cases in which an accessory gallbladder was pre- or intraoperatively detected or missed and to evaluate the implications of the time of diagnosis of the duplication on the surgical therapy.28 case reports were analysed. If the duplication of the gallbladder was recognised pre-operatively or during operation, both gallbladders could be removed via laparoscopy in 80 % of the cases. Missing the second gallbladder can lead to persisting symptoms, postoperative complications as well as a recrudescence of the cholecystolithiasis with following reoperation. If a reoperation for a missed second gallbladder was necessary, only 14.3 % of these operations could be performed via laparoscopy.We report the case of a missed gall-bladder duplication with an acute cholecystitis causing a reoperation 17 years after the initial operation. A laparoscopic cholecystectomy was possible even though the initial operation was performed through open surgery.If recognised in preoperative examinations or during surgery a laparoscopic cholecystectomy of both gallbladders is possible in the majority of cases with duplicated gallbladder.

The purpose of the present study was to define the diagnostic value of anal endosonography in the diagnostic work-up of fistula-in-ano.A retrospective study was carried out on 191 consecutive patients (m: 121; f: 70; mean age: 44.0 +/- 12.5 years; range: 0.5-77 years) who were diagnosed to suffer from fistula-in-ano by performing anal endosonography in an outpatient setting. All images were obtained with a Combison 310A ultrasound scanner (Kretz GmbH, Zipf, Osterreich) and 5-Mhz and 7.5-MHz transducer. 131 patients underwent surgery. According to the endosonographic findings fistulas were classified as transsphincteric in 44 %, intersphincteric in 22 %, subanodermal in 16 %, anovaginal in 8 %, suprasphincteric in 5 %, extrasphincteric in 1 % and others in 4 %.In 125 patients (95 %) the preoperative diagnosis was confirmed intraoperatively. This cohort included 12 patients with a complex fistula system. In only 6 patients the preoperative ultrasound finding was misinterpreted.In conclusion this study has shown that anal endosonography is a useful and reliable tool in the preoperative evaluation of uncomplicated and complicated anorectal fistulas.

We tried to evaluate the role of anorectal functional diagnostic tools according to the judgement of German coloproctologists.Questionnaires concerning accuracy of different diagnostic tests were sent to 585 physicians specialized in coloproctology.261 (44.6 %) completed forms were returned. An analysis of the answers revealed that endorectal sonography is widely (73 %) regarded as useful and reliable diagnostic tool. Though manometry is still frequently used, only 50.5 % of the coloproctologists made their decision concerning the further treatment depending on the results of this method. Other radiologic methods as defecography and colon transit time are still regularly performed, though video-defecography is not accepted by most coloproctologists. Neurological investigations as pudendal nerve terminal latency, surface-EMG and needle-EMG are exclusively applied in specialized departments.Regarding the variety of diagnostic tools and its different appraisal a consensus should be defined. The usefulness of neurological examination techniques needs to be clarified before their performance can be recommended for a wide-spread routine work up.

Duodeno-gastro-esophageal reflux (DGER) as measured with bilirubin monitoring is observed in many patients with reflux disease especially in Barrett's esophagus. As acid suppression is an effective therapy of reflux disease, DGER is frequently just considered as a bystander of acid reflux. To define the importance of DGER, reflux of duodenal contents was evaluated by bilirubin monitoring in the stomach.100 patients with reflux disease were evaluated (62 m, 38 f, 50 (12) years). 26 patients had Barrett's esophagus, 57 had esophagitis and 17 non- erosive reflux disease (pH pos.). All patients were evaluated with simultaneous 24-hour bilirubin monitoring in the esophagus and stomach. Results were compared to 35 measurements of healthy volunteers in the esophagus and 41 measurements in the stomach.Normal values: DGER - Exposure time esophagus11.8 % using an absorbance value0.14, duodenogastric reflux (DGR) - Exposure time stomach24.8 % using an absorbance value0.25. 56 % of the patients had DGER, 41 % had DGR. 29 of the 41 patients with DGR had DGER (71 %), while 27 of the 56 patients with DGER had physiologic duodenogastric reflux (48 %).About 30 % of the patients with reflux disease show DGER combined with excessive DGR. Therefore, DGER is not just a bystander of acid reflux. The excessive DGR in some patients adds additional potentially dangerous substances to the esophageal reflux.

Pouch reconstruction after resection of the rectum. Functional results after low anterior resection of the rectum and straight end-to-end coloanal anastomosis are often poor. Patients are frequently troubled by the so called "anterior resection syndrome" which comprises faecal incontinence, urge, frequency and fragmentation. To investigate the potential functional benefit of a coloanal pouch reconstruction we conducted a prospective study. Some 55 patients [29 men; median age 66,4 (30-85)] underwent low anterior resection of the rectum followed by coloanal J-pouch reconstruction. Pouch size was 5-7 cm, a temporary stoma was fashioned in 32 patients. Indications for the operation were: 1. rectal cancer: n = 51, 2. recurrent adenoma n = 2, 3. recto-vaginal fistula n = 1 and 4. severe non-specific proctitis n = 1. We observed 5 anastomotic leakages of which two patients required reoperation. A pelvic abscess was encountered in three patients as well as one pelvic haematoma. Micturition was impaired in five patients. To date 47 patients have completed 12 months follow-up after reversal of the ileostomy. Patients were seen at three-monthly intervals. Mean stool frequency/day was 3.9 after 3 and 2.6 after 12 months. After 3 months 38 patients (69 %) reported complete continence which increased to 83 % at 1 year. 18 Patients (33 %) complained of urge defaecation initially, which decreased to 14.5 % after 1 year. Fragmentation was observed in 40 % at 3 and and 22 % at 12 months, respectively. In conclusion, our initial experience with colonic J-pouch reconstruction shows good functional results.

Reconstruction modes following gastrectomy. Results of experimental and clinical controlled trials. In animal experiments four reconstruction methods following gastrectomy were compared: Roux-en Y reconstruction with (n = 33) and without pouch (n = 50) and isoperistaltic jejunum interposition with (n = 26) and without pouch (n = 55). The results were mostly influenced by the extent of esophagitis, documenting the reflux reduction by a pouch. Weight gain was slightly higher following jejunum interposition.Roux-en Y pouch reconstruction with jejunum interposition with pouch was compared in a randomized controlled trial. The additional operative effort of jejunum interposition did not achieve benefits in outcome. Therefore, Roux-en Y reconstruction should be advocated as standard reconstruction. The second randomized controlled trial compared Roux-en Y reconstruction with and without pouch. After more than three years, there was an advantage in life quality for patients with pouch indicating that patients with a favorable prognosis following gastrectomy should be reconstructed with a pouch.

Barrett-carcinoma is a type of adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus and the cardia. Barrett-esophagus is defined by the histologic presence of specialized epithelium with intestinal metaplasia. As a consequence Barrett-carcinoma has a close relationship to the adenocarcinoma of the cardia and is very often part of the cardiacarcinoma type I. The aim of the surgical therapy is a radical R0-resection of the tumor including the lymphatic drainage area. This aim is accomplished among different authors by different surgical concepts. One is the radical transhiatal subtotal esophagectomy with lymphadenectomy in the lower mediastinum and the upper abdominal compartments. The other concept is a transthoracic en-bloc esophagectomy. Both resection procedures are usually completed by gastric pull up reconstruction. Currently a sophisticated preoperative staging is followed by distinguished indication and therapy depending on tumor status, risk factors of the patient and on the international classification of the cardia carcinoma (Siewert). When a R0-resection is impossible, a neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy should be performed.

This paper reviews diagnostic criteria, indications, and selection criteria for surgical therapy in chronic constipation. Special emphasis is laid on surgical therapy of pelvic outlet obstruction. Colonic resection may be considered as last surgical resort in those few cases where conventional therapeutic measures have been exhausted and an extensive diagnostic protocol based on clearly defined criteria has been followed. This may offer a justifiable therapeutic alternative only in cases where highly symptomatic and refractory colonic inertia (slow transit constipation) is confirmed, and associated outlet obstruction has been excluded.

Functional tests allow for the qualification and quantification of underlying function defects in the diagnosis of pelvic floor incompetence. However, the results of these instrumental investigations alone do not suffice for a therapeutic decision. The decision for a surgical therapy should therefore always be based on the clinical presentation, the extent of subjective impairment, and the degree of the causative pathophysiologic defect detected in the function tests.

Anorectal endosonography is established as a diagnostic tool in anorectal fistulas, today. Yet, there is still little experience with the use of this method in small children. We could visualize three intershincteric fistulas in children at an age of 6, 7 and 14 months. The procedure is well tolerated and even children under the age of one year can be examined with a special probe.

This is a report on a questionnaire in Germany reflecting the activity in antireflux surgery, both in open and laparoscopic modifications in the time period of 1990 through 1995. It serves as an overview of the acceptance of diagnostic workup, indication, applied techniques, and different antireflux procedures. In a total of 104 representative hospitals, 2,036 patients were operated during this time. Almost 80% of the hospitals provide antireflux surgery in the open technique and only 1/3 of the hospitals have experience in the laparoscopic technique. There is a total rise in antireflux surgery during the last 5 years, since the number of laparoscopic antireflux operations rises constantly with a total amount of open operations of about 250 cases per year. In open surgery the most favourite technique is the Nissen-Rossetti procedure, while in laparoscopic technique the choice for the original Nissen, the Nissen-Rossetti, or the floppy Nissen technique is divided in almost equal parts.

Most anal fistulas can be easily dealt with by simple fistulotomy. So called complex fistulas-in-ano need a differentiated, individually tailored surgical approach in order to avoid recurrence and sphincter incompetence. Complex fistulas comprise either tracks with high trans-, supra-, or extrasphincteric extension or fistulas that are complicated by multiple side branches, chronic inflammatory disease, previous operations etc. Prior to treatment a thorough preoperative diagnostic work-up is warranted. A precise intraoperative evaluation is paramount to allow radical excision of all inflamed tissue, often necessitating anal sphincter division with subsequent reconstruction. The treatment plan involves staged operations over a period of many months, usually with the (laparoscopic) fashioning of a protective stoma at the primary operation. Analysing our patients in the study period from 1/95 to 12/96 our different surgical approaches and their results are presented and discussed. During this period 96 patients with a fistula-in-ano were operated upon in the Department of Surgery at Würzburg University Hospital, of which 11 (11.5%) had complex disease. We encountered one early and one late recurrence as well as a parastomal hernia and a stoma prolapse. Anal continence was re-assessed three months following reversal of colostomy. All patients (n = 7) who had perfect continence preoperatively remained unchanged. Preoperatively, four patients were incontinent for gas and liquid stool. Two of these were fully continent, one remained unchanged at re-assessment. The fourth patient did not undergo stoma reversal as yet, because all examinations revealed an incompetent sphincter. This patient is therefore fully incontinent. Successful treatment of complex anal fistulas needs an individual approach and planning over a lengthy period of time, requiring a high level of motivation on the part of both patient and surgeon.

On the basis of a cost analysis of conservative and surgical therapy of gastroesophageal reflux disease in 70 patients health economic aspects are discussed. In a prospective documented series of reflux patients a retrolective analysis of medication cost and duration of conservative therapy is performed. In addition, the costs for surgical therapy including preoperative diagnostic workup, cost during hospitalization as well as costs for complications with necessary additional treatment and readmissions are assessed. For the conservative treatment of 70 reflux patients a total of more than DM700,000 had to be spent during preoperative 5 years. A major part of this sum was spent for patients who needed to increase the initial 20 mg dosage of Omeprazol within 5 years. A mean of approximately DM 2,000 per patient was spent for conservative treatment. Surgical treatment without complications was calculated with DM 5,425 per case. However, in 7 patients complications occurred causing prolonged or even rehospitalization with necessary further treatment summing up to about DM 486,000 for surgical therapy in 70 patients including complications. Cost relevant factors are therefore in conservative treatment patients who need increasing dosages, while, in surgical treatment, the cost relevant patients are those with complications and necessary additional treatment.

The necessity of limiting health care costs requires adequate service recording and quality control even in visceral surgery. In this field, the safety of the anastomoses is of greatest importance. Anastomoses at risk are esophageal connections to jejunum or colon and deep rectal anastomoses. At these locations expensive suture devices, such as stapling instruments, can be used in a cost saving aspect, if they help to increase anastomotic safety, time saving and expansion of surgical indication. Manual sutures thus represent the cheapest anastomotic technique as continuous sutures would cost between DM 10.- to 20.- and single stitch sutures between DM 60.- and 100.-. A surgical school should prevalently aim at training manual anastomoses, while special anastomotic techniques should only complete the skill for selected indications. The overall staff expenditure for extended operations amounts around DM 600.- per hour respectively DM 10.- per minute. Time for surgery might be shortened by auxiliary tools as much as to perform an additional operation. However, a circular stapler anastomosis that costs between DM 650.- to 850.- is twice as expensive as manual sutures notwithstanding the double time needed. In the past years, the necessity for a rational use of different anastomotic techniques has shown to be mandatory since, increasingly, financial aspects of health economy require cost benefit calculations in visceral surgery.

Anorectal manometry has been developed from an object of clinic oriented scientific interest to an established tool within the spectrum of proctologic diagnostics. At present it represents the only objective diagnostic method with regards to continence disorders; it is routinely applied in the evaluation of constipation, of incontinence, of pre- and postoperative conditions in diseases of the anorectum as well as in the indication and therapeutic control investigations during biofeedback training of the anal sphincter. The new technique of determination of the anal sphincter pressure vector volume allows for the most sensitive functional separation of patients with different degrees of continence; this method delivers a 3-dimensional graphic imaging of the sphincter pressure profile, thus allowing for an objective visualisation of the present mechanic defect and an aid in planning a surgical correction.

Current epidemiological data about fecal incontinence are reviewed. Anatomy and physiology of the anal sphincter are described, and it is shown that continence relies on several interdependent anatomical and functional factors. Etiology of fecal incontinence is discussed and illustrated by clinical examples.

The introduction of laparoscopic technique in antireflux surgery has created hope for an improvement in patient outcome. Initial experience with minimally invasive procedures show that the application in antireflux surgery depends more on a differentiated indication for operation and an operative procedure designed to remove or compensate the underlying pathophysiologic functional defect. The method of access is of lesser priority. The promising results of this series may encourage continuation of the demonstrated protocol and operative technique.

A review of literature and own clinical studies confirm that best postoperative functional results in complete rectal prolapse may be reached with rectopexy in combination with partial resection of the colon. Incontinence may be improved in 38% to 93%, depending on the author. Constipation may be reduced in 41% to 83% of the cases. In comparison, rectopexy without resection resulted in a reduction of constipation of only 11% to 28%, with even a change to the worse in 60% of the patients. Improved operative and anesthesiological conditions cause an acceptable perioperative morbidity (7-13%) and mortality (0-2%) after rectopexy with partial resection of the colon.

Endoanal ultrasound is a new imaging technique in the diagnostic work-up of patients suffering from anal incontinence. A standardised examination as well as hardware specific reference values for the sphincter muscles are of paramount importance to allow correct interpretation of the continence organ. At the University Hospital of Würzburg from 1.2.1993 to 31.7.1994 90 patients (50 male, 40 female; age: 16-81 y.) with normal continence underwent endosonographic assessment of their sphincter complex. We measured the internal anal sphincter (IAS), puborectalis muscle as well as the three separate parts of the external anal muscle (EAS). Apart from establishing reference values we found a significant increase in thickness of both EAS and IAS with increasing age. However, no correlation was seen between muscle thickness, sex, height or weight. We also examined 29 patients with a history of incontinence. 13 (45%) had a morphological sphincter defect, most of which were due to obstetric trauma or previous proctological operations. 10 (35%) patients suffered from so called idiopathic incontinence. Anal ultrasound in these patients revealed muscle hypotrophy of the structurally intact sphincters.

The own findings about the functional behavior of the gastric substitute together with the results from the literature demand a jejunal J-pouch after gastrectomy, if it is not a palliative resection. It is an open question, whether the good experience with the Roux-en-Y-pouch-reconstruction--only 15 min. more time of operation, low rate of complications--allows a wider indication for this procedure.

For the assessment of ileoanal and coloanal pouches different diagnostic tests should be applied. Apart from case history and rectal digital examination the most important methods comprise a radiologic evaluation of the pouch and its afferent loop as well as anorectal manometry for the assessment of pouch motility and sphincter function. Increasingly transanal endosonography is being used for the precise examination of size, volume, and shape of ileoanal and coloanal pouches. The afferent loop is also easily accessible to endosonography, e.g. for evaluation of bowel wall morphology and function. Furthermore, in cases of coloanal pouches following an oncologic lower anterior resection, endosonography is used in follow-up examinations for the detection of local tumor recurrence.

Clinical relevant follow up parameters were used to examine the influence of an additional pouch for reconstruction after gastrectomy in Roux-en-Y technique and jejunal interposition in rats.3 months old rats were gastrectomized and reconstructed as follows: Roux-en-Y (RY n = 50), jejunal interposition (JI n = 55) and each of these combined with a jejunal J-pouch (RYP n = 33; JIP n = 26). Up to 9 months postoperatively body weight, hemoglobin, iron, total protein and amylase as well as the pouch volume and esophageal mucosa were followed up.All gastrectomized animals show deficiencies compared to non operated controls (n = 6). The severity depends on the type of reconstruction. The RY group overall has the lowest values; hemoglobin (9 month) 4.2 g/dl, body weight (6 mon) 77% total protein (9 mon) 47 g/l. JI causes less defect: Hb (9 mon) 8.3 g/dl, BW (6 mon) 109%, TP (9 mon) 61 g/l. Animals with additional pouch have better values than those with the similar type of reconstruction but without pouch; RYP: Hb (9 mon) 12.7 g/dl, BW (6 mon) 95%, TP (9 mon) 55 g/l; JIP: Hb (9 mon) 15.1 g/dl, BW (6 mon) 107%, TP (9 mon) 64 g/l. Hemoglobin and total protein do not significantly differ between the combination of interposition and pouch and the control group (por = 0.05). The volume of the pouch increases 1:3 during 6 months. Animals with pouch do not show severe reflux esophagitis as do those without pouch.With global follow-up parameters the postgastrectomy deficiency can be evaluated in this experimental model. Interposition combined with the pouch is superior to the other methods as demonstrated by less deficiencies. Furthermore the pouch serves as a functional food reservoir and as reflux barrier.

Mechanic or stapled anastomoses of hollow organs represent a safe and attractive alternative to the manual suture. The rate of complications for the duodenal stump closure by linear staplers is minimal with leakages below 1%; the same is true for the jejunum. In esophagogastrostomies which are often performed cervically, the stapler offers more safety compared to manual sutures, but the rate of stenoses is higher with about 15%. Stenoses have been observed especially with smaller magazines (25 mm diameter). For esophagojejunostomies safety is much greater with mechanic staplers than with manual sutures. Only most experienced surgeons would achieve the same results with the same low rate of leakages of less than 10%; stenoses do not have clinical relevance.

In a 3-years period 51 patients with acute bleeding oesophageal varices with Child-stadium B and C were admitted to our department. Endoscopic sclerosing therapy was performed during emergency endoscopy. --The analysis of these patients indicates, that unsuccessful conservative treatment before endoscopic sclerosing therapy has a negative influence on the outcome of our patients. This fact should be kept in mind when results of this study are compared with other studies. Fatal prognostic criteria are early recurrent bleeding within the first 24 h after emergency endoscopy, thrombocytopenia and a deficiency of fibrinogen. The latter is an indication for ballon tamponade of the varices in the distal oesophagus even after successful endoscopic hemostasis.