PRP Injection Into Anal Sphincters for Fecal Incontinence

Last updated: August 20, 2019
Sponsor: Istanbul Medipol University Hospital
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

1

Condition

Fecal Incontinence

Bowel Dysfunction

Rectal Disorders

Treatment

N/A

Clinical Study ID

NCT04063293
IMU260702
  • Ages 18-80
  • All Genders

Study Summary

The treatment of fecal incontinence after low anterior resection is problematic, and not always able to increase quality of life. Biofeedback and rehabilitation therapies are harmless and easy to use; thus, generally selected as the initial treatment modalities, however may be effective in a small portion of patients. More complex treatment techniques including sacral nerve stimulation decrease the severity of symptoms, however the implantation of the device is a costly, staged procedure. Little is known about the effectiveness of other techniques such as injectable substances on incontinence observed after low anterior resection. There is no study evaluating the safety and effectiveness of platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection for incontinent patients after low anterior resection.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • incontinent patients after low anterior resection for rectal cancer

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • There are 2 types of exclusion criteria A. Patients who will not be suitable for initial tests:

  1. Patients younger than 18 or older than 80

  2. Pregnant or lactating women

  3. Patients received pelvic radiation after the initial cancer surgery

  4. Patients with local recurrence

  5. Patients with irresectable metastasis (patients with resectable liver and/or lungmetastasis will be included after metastasectomy, but patients with peritonealmetastasis who will be candidate for peritonectomy will not be included)

  6. Patients under chemotherapy

  7. Patients confess incontinence prior to initial cancer surgery

  8. Contraindication for PRP injection: active infection, thrombocytopenia, anemia (Hgb <10 gr/dl), allergy for buffalo thrombin

  9. If the interval after the final surgery less than 12 months

  10. Patient refusal B. Patients who will be excluded according to manometer and/or endoanal ultrasoundfindings. Only the patients with an acceptable volume of healthy anal sphincters, anadequate reservoir capacity of neorectum and decreased sphincter strength will be includedto the study after ruling out a full-thickness external sphincter tear will be the subjectsof the evaluation. These patients will be excluded prior to PRP injection:

  11. If manometer reveals normal resting (59-74 mm) and squeeze (124-152 mm) pressure (Noclue for decreased sphincter strength)

  12. If manometer reveals higher than normal volume (17-23 cc) for the first sensation,since it shows reduction of rectal sensitivity

  13. If manometer reveals lessened maximum tolerable volume (MTV), since the continence maybe related to the reduced volume of neorectum (For healthy volunteers the normal levelof MTV is between 216 cc and 266 cc. Although normal level for neorectum after lowanterior resection is not known, in a study it is accepted to be more than 60 cc asthe current study [28]).

  14. No or minimal external sphincter volume during: for inclusion the length, wide andvolume of the external sphincter should be at least 16.1 mm, 6.8 mm and 6.3 cc,respectively (for inclusion all 3 measures should fulfilled). Although the actualminimal volume of external sphincter preventing incontinence is not indicated, in thisstudy the minimal volume in healthy volunteers has been accepted [29,30].

  15. Endoanal ultrasound examination revealing full-thickness tear in external sphincter.

Study Design

Total Participants: 20
Study Start date:
May 15, 2019
Estimated Completion Date:
February 15, 2021

Study Description

Rectal cancer is a common problem worldwide and the standard potentially curative treatment for locally advanced disease includes radical surgery appreciating oncological principals. Sphincter-saving procedures have been practiced in order to prevent a permanent stoma; however, patients underwent low anterior resection may suffer from several problems including incontinence particularly if the initial tumor is located too close to the anal canal. The actual frequency of incontinence is still unknown because of wide variation rates in several reports ranging between 0 to 80%; and may be a long-term problem since a series has presented an incidence of 36% 10 years after surgery.

Several mechanisms may cause incontinence after low anterior resection, thus several therapeutic instruments have been described considering the underlying reason. The most reasonable suspect is probably an injury to the sphincters at the time of surgery or secondary to preoperative radiation therapy, which is a commonly used modality in order to reduce local recurrence and increase the possibility of sphincter-saving procedures with the shrinkage of the tumor. Surgery and/or (chemo)radiation may not only generate sphincter injury, but also cause nerve damage and consequent denervation of the sphincters. Internal sphincters are responsible for resting pressure. Incontinence is more often and obvious if an intersphincteric resection with a hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis is attempted, since this procedure indicates the removal of internal sphincters. Several studies have revealed that up to 20% of patients have internal sphincter injuries after low anterior resection proven with endoanal ultrasound or manometer; and diminution in size of sphincters and decrease in resting pressure are correlated with incontinence grade. Mechanical anal sphincter injury may occur during the insertion of stapler; thus, incontinence may also be observed in patients with more proximally located tumors. The effect of radiation therapy on sphincter functions is also well-known, and a prospective randomized trial has shown that radiotherapy is significantly increasing incontinence rate. Another mechanism in incontinence may be related to the reduction of the capacity of neorectum, since descending colon, which is the reconstructing organ in most cases is narrower than rectum itself. Several reservoir techniques including coloplasty, colonic j-pouch and side-to-end anastomosis have been described in order to increase pooling volume of neorectum. Some other factors including decrease in sensitivity of anal canal and anal transitional zone, alteration in rectoanal inhibitory reflex, motility dysfunction of neorectum and incomplete evacuation may separately cause incontinence or increase the severity of symptoms. Instead of a sole origin, a combination of several reasons may be present at the same time making the problem more complex and the solution tougher. The treatment of incontinence is problematic, and not always able to increase quality of life. Biofeedback and rehabilitation therapies are harmless and easy to use; thus, generally selected as the initial treatment modalities, however may be effective in a small portion of patients. More complex treatment techniques including sacral nerve stimulation decrease the severity of symptoms, however the implantation of the device is a costly, staged procedure. Little is known about the effectiveness of other techniques such as injectable substances on incontinence observed after low anterior resection. Some patients may require fecal diversion in order to achieve a better quality of life.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a thrombocyte enriched liquid, and it increases cell proliferation and collagen formation where it is injected. Platelets activate some growth factors, cytokines and other bioactive mediators, and consequently initiate and regulate wound-healing period. PRP has been used in several chronic diseases for initiating and fastening the reconstruction phase, particularly for the tendon, muscle, ligament and articular system related injuries and inflammatory situations. The effects of PRP on symptoms and healing rate in patients with lateral epicondylitis and its superiority over bupivacaine or steroid injections have been shown in cohort and prospective randomized trials. PRP is also tested for the treatment of perianal fistula. When PRP injection is combined with mucosal advancement flap procedure, it has been shown to decrease the recurrence rate. In an animal model, PRP injection into the gastrocnemius muscle has shown to increase the strength of the muscle healing. Although it has a potential, -to the best to our knowledge- there is no study evaluating the safety and effectiveness of PRP injection for incontinent patients after low anterior resection.

Methods:

This project is a single arm, cohort study evaluating the safety and effectiveness of PRP injection into the anal sphincter on incontinence and related quality of life in incontinent patients after low anterior resection for rectal cancer. All participating patients will be informed about the protocol and PRP application, and informed consent will be obtained. The study will be run at Department of General Surgery at Istanbul Medipol University Medical School (IMU) and be completed in 24 months. Local Ethical Committee has approved the protocol (protocol number: 66291034-29) and The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) has granted the study (project number: 117s133). First patient accrual is planned to happen before August 2019. For the first year, only the patients who had their previous cancer operation at IMU will be included to the study, but in case of a shortage in number of patients by the end of August 2020, the inclusion of the patients who had their initial surgeries in other institutions will be permitted.

Local Ethical Committee and governors of TUBITAK will be free to monitor the trial progress at any time. Actual status of the study will be reported to TUBITAK for observation and for the continuity of grant imbursements annually (twice during the study period) and after the finalization of data analysis and publishing. Interim analysis will not be stated, since the design has not been classified as high risk.

Connect with a study center

  • Istanbul Medipol University Medical School

    İstanbul, 34214
    Turkey

    Active - Recruiting

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