Haemorrhoids Anatomy and physiology Haemorrhoids are vascular arteriovenous plexuses that form two sets of anal cushions in the normal rectal anatomy. These plexuses are located in the upper anal canal above the dentate line (internal haemorrhoidal plexus), and at the…
Introduction Anorectal sepsis is common, presenting as either an acute abscess or a chronic anal fistula. Treatment in most involves only a small risk of minor complications, but a minority can present a major challenge to both sufferer and surgeon.…
Introduction Symptoms related to functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are highly prevalent. In community-based studies, up to 22% of ‘normal’ UK subjects can be diagnosed as having irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and up to 28% have functional constipation. These disorders are…
Acknowledegments We would like to thank Nicola S. Fearnhead and Alexis M. P. Schizas for their previous versions of the book chapters entitled ‘Functional Problems and their Surgical Management’ and ‘Anorectal Investigation’. Introduction Pelvic floor pathology is multifactorial and often…
Introduction Faecal incontinence (FI), the involuntary loss of solid or liquid stool, is a debilitating condition with potentially devastating consequences for both physical and psychosocial well-being. Although surveys of the adult population have estimated the prevalence of FI to be…
Introduction Intestinal failure (IF) is defined as the reduction of gut function below the minimum necessary for the absorption of macronutrients and/or fluid and electrolytes, such that intravenous supplementation is required to maintain health and/or growth. , IF can be…
Acknowledgement This chapter in the sixth edition was written by Mark Thompson-Fawcett and we are grateful to him for those parts of the chapter, which we have kept in this edition. Introduction Crohn’s disease is a chronic, relapsing illness of…
Introduction Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an idiopathic relapsing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involving the mucosa and lamina propria of the rectum and variable extent of the proximal colon. Characterised by remissions and exacerbations, the clinical spectrum of disease can range…
Historical perspectives Colonic diverticulosis is a common anatomical disorder characterised by acquired, sac-like mucosal protrusions (diverticula) through the muscle wall. They are false diverticula because they do not involve all colonic layers. The term ‘ diverticulum’ (‘divertikel’ in German) was…
Acknowledgement With thanks to the authors of the sixth edition, Pasquale Giordano, David J. Humes and John H. Scholefield. Introduction Anal cancer is predominantly (90%) squamous cell in origin, and 90% of anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC) is caused by…