CONTEXT: Endometriosis is characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity, which is commonly detected in gynecological practice but rarely reported as a coloproctological disorder. The objective of the present report was to discuss a rare case of postmenopausal intestinal endometriosis simulating a malignant lesion, following a review of the literature. CASE REPORT: A 74-year-old woman with complaints of hematochezia and tenesmus of two months' duration accompanied by liquid feces and pelvic pain, but with no other gastrointestinal or gynecological complaints, was referred to our service. She had been menopausal for 22 years, with no hormone replacement treatment, and had undergone panhysterectomy three years before the referral to us, due to endometrial thickening and a right adnexal cyst. Five months before this referral, she had undergone laparotomy due to acute obstructive abdomen, which revealed a tumor mass involving the small bowel. Anatomopathological examination of the enterectomy suggested a hypothesis of intestinal endometriosis. A proctological examination was normal. Computed tomography of the pelvis revealed thickening of the rectosigmoid transition and colonoscopy revealed friable tumor formation in the rectum. A biopsy of the lesion revealed mucosal fragments of endometrial type, which led to a review of the previous anatomopathological examination. The patient underwent rectosigmoidectomy with protective transversotomy, with a good postoperative course, and anatomical examination confirmed the intestinal endometriosis. The patient subsequently suffered a stenosing recurrence of the lesion and has undergone colostomy since then.

Laparoscopic colorectal surgery is believed to be technically and oncologically feasible. Robotic surgery is an attractive mode in performing minimally-invasive surgery once it has several advantages if compared to standard laparoscopic surgery. The aim of this paper is to report the first known case of colorectal resection surgery using the robotic assisted surgical device in Brazil. A 35-year-old woman with deep infiltrating endometriosis with rectal involvement was referred for colorectal resection using da Vinci surgical system. The authors also reviewed the most current series and discussed not only the safety and feasibility but also the real benefits of robotic colorectal surgery.

BACKGROUND: There are several therapeutic options for symptomatic hemorrhoids, from hygienic and dietary measures to conventional surgery. The best technique adopted for alternative and non-surgical treatment for intermediate grade (II and III) hemorrhoidal disease is rubber band ligation. More recently, the technique has been used with the aid of a gastroscope and a kit of elastic rubber bands for esophageal varices. This technique was called Endoscopic Rubber Band Ligation of hemorrhoids (ERBL). OBJECTIVE: The objective is Compare the results and the incidence of the immediate and late complications in patients undergoing ERBL. The satisfaction with the treatment of patients undergoing different number of rubber band ligatures were also analyzed. METHODS: This is a cohort study included patients undergoing ERBL from 2007 to 2014 at the hospital. The incidence of early and late complications and the satisfaction with the treatment of patients undergoing until two ligatures and patients undergoing three or more ligatures in the same procedure were compared. RESULTS: The study included 116 patients. The most frequently reported symptom was anal bleeding (n=72; 62.1%). The number of rubber band ligatures performed during the ERBL procedure varied from one to six; 84 (72,4%) patients had three or more rubber band ligatures performed during the procedure. No significant associations were observed between the incidence of early or late complications and satisfaction with ERBL among the group subjected until two rubber band ligatures or three or more rubber band ligatures. CONCLUSION: The endoscopic elastic ligation method proved to be a feasible, safe and efficient for the treatment of symptomatic hemorrhoidal disease grades II and III. The technique had moderate rates of immediate and late complications, but most of the complications are considered of low magnitude, easily resolved and without clinical repercussions, no matter how much ligations were performed in the same procedure.

PURPOSE: Colonoscopy plays an essential role in the therapeutic and diagnostic approach in various colonic pathologies, the aim of the present study was to compare three solutions and their efficacy for the bowel preparation in adult patients submitted to elective colonoscopy. METHODS: Sixty patients were randomly divided into three groups of 20 each. Each group was submitted to a bowel preparation with one of the following solutions: 10% manitol, sodium picosulphate or sodium phosphate. The parameters evaluated were: taste, tolerance, associated side effects and quality of cleansing. Postural blood pressure and pulse rate as well as serum sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphate were compared. RESULTS: Sodium phosphate and 10% manitol solutions provided superior results in terms of colon cleansing compared to sodium picosulphate solution. All serum electrolytes evaluated were significantly altered in the three groups, without important clinical signs. DISCUSSION: High levels of serum phosphate were the most striking alteration in patients prepared with sodium phosphate solution, again with no clinical signs. Variations related to blood pressure and pulse rate suggested contraction of intravascular volume, with no clinical effects. CONCLUSION: Sodium phosphate and 10% manitol solutions are equivalent in providing good quality colon cleansing, with no significant side effects that could compromise the procedure.

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