We recommend cystoscopy and urine cytology for faecal material as the first-line investigations in all patients with a suspected enterovesical fistulae. CT scanning and barium enema should not be first line investigations but may be performed subsequently to help determine the aetiology and planning of surgery.

Data from the controlled studies support the use of myocutaneous flaps for single-stage reconstruction after APE in the presence of chemoradiotherapy. Ultimately, the choice of flap depends on the goals of reconstruction, size of the defect and the availability of donor tissue. The implications of an expanding role for radiotherapy in the treatment of low rectal cancer and radical dissection to achieve negative circumferential margins, necessitate close co-operation between colorectal and reconstructive surgeons to achieve APE with reduced wound morbidity.

No abstract

The number of white blood cells per mm2 has been determined in serial histological slides taken from punch biopsies of skin from the goiter region in patients with varicose veins. In eight patients the varicose veins were complicated by lipodermatosclerosis of the skin, and in a further six there was a history of ulceration. In uncomplicated varicose veins there was a median of 6 white blood cells per mm2, in patients with lipodermatosclerosis there were 45 white blood cells per mm2, and where there was a history of ulceration, 217 white blood cells per mm2. No change in white blood cell content was observed after the venous pressure was raised for 30 min by sitting the patient with the lower limb dependent. White blood cell infiltration of the skin is associated with lipodermatosclerotic changes caused by venous insufficiency.

This series has shown that the majority of patients presenting with pruritus ani have a dermatosis as the underlying cause of their symptoms and that many of them have developed contact sensitivities to the various topical medications used. These findings suggest that referral to a dermatologist in the first instance may be more appropriate.