News Items

Check out our newest CREST® Weekly Curriculum module, Penetrating Ileocolonic Crohn's Disease! This module covers the percutaneous and surgical management of patients with perforating ileocolonic Crohn's disease. Included in the module are a narrated presentation, full-text articles from Diseases of the Colon & Rectum, and a brief posttest.

Objectives:

• Describe the goals of surgery for ileocolonic Crohn's disease
• Describe the role of percutaneous drainage for Crohn's abscess
• Describe the differences in outcomes in Crohn's patients with intra-abdominal abscesses between medical and surgical therapy

CREST® Weekly Curriculum modules provide a quick, easy way to refresh your knowledge on a topic and earn an hour of continuing medical education (CME) credit. Upon completion, the module is eligible for 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. To access the CREST® site, please log in and click MY ACCOUNT in the top right-hand corner of the page. Click on the CREST® Online Learning Center link to enter the learning center.

CREST® Weekly Curriculum modules are free to members. Not a member of ASCRS? Learn more about the benefits of membership in The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.

Our newest CREST® Weekly Curriculum module, THD for Hemorrhoids: When, How, and Why, is now available! Users of this module will learn about management of hemorrhoids using transanal hemorrhoid dearterialization and how it works in relation to other treatment modalities. The module will review the short and long-term evidence behind this treatment. Included in the module are a narrated presentation, full-text articles from Diseases of the Colon & Rectum, and a brief posttest.

Objectives:

• Understand the advantages and disadvantages of THD in relation to other forms of hemorrhoid treatment.
• Describe common complications associated with the THD procedure.
• Describe the efficacy of THD and understand how this compares to other treatments for hemorrhoids.

CREST® Weekly Curriculum modules are free to members. To access, log in at the top of this page, click on MY ACCOUNT, then follow the link to the CREST® Online Learning Center. Not a member of ASCRS? Learn more about the benefits of membership in The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.

The latest CREST® Weekly Curriculum module, Anal Stenosis, is now available! This module provides an overview of prevention, evaluation and treatment of anal stenosis, a narrowing of the anal canal. Anal Stenosis is eligible for 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

Objectives:

• Describe how to diagnose and evaluate patients with anal stenosis
• Describe common causes and prevention of anal stenosis
• Review available surgical treatment options for anal stenosis

To access this module, log in at the top of this page, click on MY ACCOUNT, then follow the link to the CREST® Online Learning Center. Not a member of ASCRS? Learn more about the benefits of membership in the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.

The latest CREST® Weekly Curriculum module, Behcet’s Disease, is now available! This module covers Behcet’s disease and focuses on the evaluation and management of those patients with this underlying disorder.

Objectives:

• Discuss the diagnostic criteria for Behcet’s disease
• Identify gastrointestinal Behcet’s
• Explain the treatment options for gastrointestinal Behcet’s

CREST® Weekly Curriculum modules are free to members. To access, log in at the top of this page, click on MY ACCOUNT, then follow the link to the CREST® Online Learning Center. Not a member of ASCRS? Learn more about the benefits of membership in the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.

The latest CREST® Weekly Curriculum module, ERAF and Anal Fistula, is now available! Healing the fistula is balanced with preserving continence, therefore excluding primary fistulotomy is many cases. The endorectal advancement flap has been considered the "gold standard" treatment option yet quality data remains elusive and published studies suggest there remains room for improvement in surgical outcomes. There are several variables that can be performed in the technical steps of the operation, including flap thickness, use of a seton, fistulectomy and fibrin glue instillation. Each of these are reviewed and data is presented related to outcomes.

Objectives:

• Understand the etiologies and types of perianal fistulas.
• Understand the role for endorectal advancement flap including indications and contraindications.
• Recognize the variables in performing the surgery and data that support a standardized approach.
• Understand the basic balance of curing the fistula while preserving continence and how outcomes are measured accordingly.

CREST® Weekly Curriculum modules are free to members. To access, log in at the top of this page, click on MY ACCOUNT, then follow the link to the CREST® Online Learning Center. Not a member of ASCRS? Learn more about the benefits of membership in the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.