PRP Injection Into Anal Sphincters for Fecal Incontinence

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

Detailed Description
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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.

Official Title
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The Effect of Platelet Rich Plasma Injection Into the Anal Sphincters on Fecal Incontinence and Quality of Life in Incontinent Patients Had Treated With Low Anterior Resection for Rectal Cancer

Conditions
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Fecal Incontinence

Intervention / Treatment
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* Biological: Platelet Rich Plasma


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: incontinent patients after low anterior resection for rectal cancer Exclusion Criteria: There are 2 types of exclusion criteria A. Patients who will not be suitable for initial tests: Patients younger than 18 or older than 80 Pregnant or lactating women Patients received pelvic radiation after the initial cancer surgery Patients with local recurrence Patients with irresectable metastasis (patients with resectable liver and/or lung metastasis will be included after metastasectomy, but patients with peritoneal metastasis who will be candidate for peritonectomy will not be included) Patients under chemotherapy Patients confess incontinence prior to initial cancer surgery Contraindication for PRP injection: active infection, thrombocytopenia, anemia (Hgb <10 gr/dl), allergy for buffalo thrombin If the interval after the final surgery less than 12 months Patient refusal B. Patients who will be excluded according to manometer and/or endoanal ultrasound findings. Only the patients with an acceptable volume of healthy anal sphincters, an adequate reservoir capacity of neorectum and decreased sphincter strength will be included to the study after ruling out a full-thickness external sphincter tear will be the subjects of the evaluation. These patients will be excluded prior to PRP injection: If manometer reveals normal resting (59-74 mm) and squeeze (124-152 mm) pressure (No clue for decreased sphincter strength) If manometer reveals higher than normal volume (17-23 cc) for the first sensation, since it shows reduction of rectal sensitivity If manometer reveals lessened maximum tolerable volume (MTV), since the continence may be related to the reduced volume of neorectum (For healthy volunteers the normal level of MTV is between 216 cc and 266 cc. Although normal level for neorectum after low anterior resection is not known, in a study it is accepted to be more than 60 cc as the current study [28]). No or minimal external sphincter volume during: for inclusion the length, wide and volume 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 actual minimal volume of external sphincter preventing incontinence is not indicated, in this study the minimal volume in healthy volunteers has been accepted [29,30]. Endoanal ultrasound examination revealing full-thickness tear in external sphincter.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 80 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Interventional Model Description: The injection will be performed in operation room under general anesthesia with either IV sedation of laryngeal mask airway (LMA) sedation. In case a perfect relaxation will not be achieved, then the patient will be intubated. The patient will be positioned as gynecological position. 10 cc of PRP will be directly injected in external muscles at 8 locations under the guidance of endoanal ultrasound. The final condition of the sphincters will be pictured with the device. The same surgeon (MCH) will perform all procedures. No antibiotics will be used. Local anesthetics will not be injected. If the patient will feel pain after the operation, he/she will be free to use oral painkillers. The patient will be discharged from the hospital on the same night or the day after according to the patient's desire. Patients will be questioned for possible PRP complications during the hospitalization period, and they will be asked to report anytime during the study period.
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: PRP injection<br>PRP is prepared using a special device (VS-400, Genesis Comp, Korea). For each application a kit (e+ PRP, Genesis Comp, Korea) will be used. 18 cc of venous blood will be collected from the patient into the syringe with 2 cc of anticoagulant, and will be gently inverted. The sample will be slowly injected into the e+ PRP kit. The kit will be centrifuged under 1,500G for 4 minutes, which will separate the blood components into 3 different layers. The rot at the top of the kit will be pressed until the bottom of the piston will touch the red blood cell layer, and the rot will be turned clockwise to close it. The cap will be opened and the small syringe will be connected to the cap for extracting PRP. The injection will be performed in operation room under general anesthesia with either IV sedation of laryngeal mask airway (LMA) sedation. 10 cc of PRP will be directly injected in external muscles at 8 locations under the guidance of endoanal ultrasound | Biological: Platelet Rich Plasma<br>* PRP injection into tha anal canal in patients underwent low anterior resection for rectal cancer<br>* Other names: PRP;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Wexner fecal incontinence score change | This scoring system cross-tabulates frequencies and different anal incontinence presentations (Gas/Liquid/Solid/Pad use/Need for lifestyle alterations) and sums the returned score to a total of 0-20 (where 0 = perfect continence and 20 = complete incontinence). Each of the incontinence presentations is graded equally. | baseline and 6 months after PRP injection | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| St Mark's (Vaizey) score | analyzes different incontinence situations (solid, liquid, gas) and frequencies. Lifestyle alteration, need to wear a pad, taking constipating medicaiton and Lack of ability to defer defecation for 15 minutes. Minimum score is 0 = perfect continence; maximum score is 24 = totally incontinent. | baseline and 6 months after PRP injection | 
| Pescatori incontinence score | The Pescatori AI score is a grading system that combines both degree of incontinence (flatus-mucus/liquid stool/solid stool) with frequency. Incontinence ratings of A, B and C indicate AI for flatus/mucus, liquid stool, and solid stool, respectively; frequency scores of 1, 2 and 3 indicate occasional, weekly, and daily AI. A score of zero is given for normal continence. The combined score is the sum of the degree and the frequency. The minimum score is 0 and the maximum score is 6 | baseline and 6 months after PRP injection | 
| Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Questionnaires | a disease-specific tool, was designed to evaluate the impact of FI on four aspects of patients' QOL: lifestyle; coping behavior; depression or self perception; and level of embarrassment. The scale is composed of a total of 29 items; these items form four scales: Lifestyle (10 items), Coping/Behavior (9 items), Depression/Self-Perception (7 items), and Embarrassment (3 items).Each aspect is described as a score measured on a scale between 1 and 4, where 1 is very affected and 4 is not affected | baseline and 6 months after PRP injection | 
| SF-36 Questionnairy | The SF-36 has eight scaled scores; the scores are weighted sums of the questions in each section. Scores range from 0 - 100 Lower scores = more disability, higher scores = less disability Sections: Vitality, Physical functioning, Bodily pain, General health perceptions, Physical role functioning, Emotional role functioning, Social role functioning, Mental health | baseline and 6 months after PRP injection | 
| Anal resting pressure |  | baseline and 6 months after PRP injection | 
| Maximal squeeze pressure |  | baseline and 6 months after PRP injection | 
| Isolated squeeze pressure |  | baseline and 6 months after PRP injection | 
| Initial sensation volume |  | baseline and 6 months after PRP injection | 
| Volume for defecation need |  | baseline and 6 months after PRP injection | 
| Maximal tolerable volume |  | baseline and 6 months after PRP injection | 
| Number of participants with PRP injection-related adverse events as assessed by CTCAE v4.0 | PRP injection safety | up to 6 months after PRP injection | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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fecal incontinence, platelet rich plasma, PRP, injection