IPAA in Known Preoperative Crohn's Disease: A Systematic Review

State of the Art: Pouch Surgery in the 21st Century

BACKGROUND

An ileoanal pouch with IPAA is the preferred method to restore intestinal continuity in patients who require a total proctocolectomy. Pouch surgery has evolved during the past decades thanks to increased experience and research, changes in the medical management of patients who require an ileal pouch, and technological innovations.

OBJECTIVE

To review the main changes in pouch surgery over the past 2 decades, with a focus on staging, minimally invasive and transanal approaches, pouch design, and anastomotic configuration.

RESULTS

The decision on the staging approach depends on the patient's conditions, their indication for surgery, and the risk of anastomotic leak. A minimally invasive approach should be performed whenever feasible, but open surgery still has a role in this technically demanding operation. Transanal IPAA may be performed in experienced centers and may reduce conversion to open surgery in the hostile pelvis. The J-pouch is the easiest, fastest, and most commonly performed design, but other designs may be used when a J-pouch is not feasible. A stapled anastomosis without mucosectomy can be safely performed in the majority of cases, with a low incidence of rectal cuff neoplasia and better functional outcomes than handsewn. Finally, Crohn's disease is not an absolute contraindication to an ileoanal pouch, but pouch failure may be higher compared to other indications.

CONCLUSIONS

Many technical nuances contribute to the success of an ileoanal pouch. The current standard of care is a laparoscopic J-pouch with double-stapled anastomosis, but this should not be seen as a dogma, and the optimal approach and design should be tailored to each patient. See video from symposium.

What is the rate of definitive stoma after subtotal colectomy for inflammatory bowel disease? A nationwide study of 1860 patients

AIM

Some patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) require subtotal colectomy (STC) with ileostomy. The recent literature reports a significant number of patients who do not undergo subsequent surgery and are resigned to living with a definitive stoma. The aim of this work was to analyse the rate of definitive stoma and the cumulative incidence of secondary reconstructive surgery after STC for IBD in a large national cohort study.

METHOD

A national retrospective study (2013-2021) was conducted on prospectively collected data from the French Medical Information System Database (PMSI). All patients undergoing STC in France were included. The association between definitive stoma and potential risk factors was studied using univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 1860 patients were included (age 45 ± 9 years; median follow-up 30 months). Of these, 77% (n = 1442) presented with ulcerative colitis. Mortality and morbidity at 90 days after STC were 5% (n = 100) and 47% (n = 868), respectively. Reconstructive surgery was identified in 1255 patients (67%) at a mean interval of 7 months from STC. Seveny-four per cent (n = 932) underwent a completion proctectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis and 26% (n = 323) an ileorectal anastomosis. Six hundred and five (33%) patients with a definitive stoma had an abdominoperineal resection (n = 114; 19%) or did not have any further surgical procedure (n = 491; 81%). Independent risk factors for definitive stoma identified in multivariate analysis were older age, Crohn's disease, colorectal neoplasia, postoperative complication after STC, laparotomy and a low-volume hospital.

CONCLUSION

We found that 33% of patients undergoing STC with ileostomy for IBD had definitive stoma. Modifiable risk factors for definitive stoma were laparotomy and a low-volume hospital.

Robotic-assisted reoperative ileal pouch-anal anastomosis: robotic pouch excision and pouch revision

BACKGROUND

Up to 20% of patients with ileal pouch will develop pouch failure, ultimately requiring surgical reintervention. As a result of the complexity of reoperative pouch surgery, minimally invasive approaches were rarely utilized. In this series, we present the outcomes of the patients who underwent robotic-assisted pouch revision or excision to assess its feasibility and short-term results.

METHODS

All the patients affected by inflammatory bowel diseases and familial adenomatous polyposis who underwent robotic reoperative surgery of an existing ileal pouch were included.

RESULTS

Twenty-two patients were included; 54.6% were female. The average age at reoperation was 51 ± 16 years, with a mean body mass index of 26.1 ± 5.6 kg/m2. Fourteen (63.7%) had a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis at reoperation, and seven (31.8%) had Crohn's disease. The mean time to pouch reoperation was 12.8 ± 11.8 years. Seventeen (77.3%) patients underwent pouch excision, and five (22.7%) had pouch revision surgery. The mean operative time was 372 ± 131 min, and the estimated blood loss was 199 ± 196.7 ml. The conversion rate was 9.1%, the 30-day morbidity rate was 27.3% (with only one complication reaching Clavien-Dindo grade IIIB), and the mean length of stay was 5.8 ± 3.9 days. The readmission rate was 18.2%, the reoperation rate was 4.6%, and mortality was nihil. All patients in the pouch revisional group are stoma-free.

CONCLUSION

Robotic reoperative pouch surgery in highly selected patients is technically feasible with acceptable outcomes.

Surgical management of complicated Crohn's disease

Surgical management of pediatric Crohn's disease is fundamentally palliative, aiming to treat the sequalae of complicated disease while preserving intestinal length. Multidisciplinary discussion of risk factors and quality of life should take place prior to operative intervention. Though the surgical management of pediatric Crohn's disease is largely based on the adult literature, there are considerations specific to the pediatric population - notably disease and treatment effects on growth and development. Intrabdominal abscess is approached with percutaneous drainage when feasible, reserving surgical intervention for the patient who is unstable or failing medical therapy. Pediatric patients with fibrostenotic disease should be considered for strictureplasty when possible, for maximum preservation of bowel length. Patients with medically refractory Crohn's proctocolitis should be treated initially with fecal diversion without proctocolectomy.

Ouch, my pouch! a clinician's guide to pouchitis

Pouchitis is defined as inflammation of the ileal pouch created during a restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. Although the incidence of this inflammatory condition is high, the exact etiology often remains unclear and the management challenging. In this review, we summarize the clinical presentation, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of this common complication.

Evolution of laparoscopic ileal pouch-anal anastomosis: impact of enhanced recovery program, medication changes, and staged approaches on outcomes

BACKGROUND

Although laparoscopic Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) has become the gold standard in restorative proctocolectomy, surgical techniques have experienced minimal changes. In contrast, substantial shifts in perioperative care, marked by the enhanced recovery program (ERP), modifications in steroid use, and a shift to a 3-staged approach, have taken center stage.

METHODS

Data extracted from our prospective IPAA database focused on the first 100 laparoscopic IPAA cases (historic group) and the latest 100 cases (modern group), aiming to measure the effect of these evolutions on postoperative outcomes.

RESULTS

The historic IPAA group had more 2-staged procedures (92% proctocolectomy), whereas the modern group had a higher number of 3-staged procedures (86% proctectomy) (P < .001). Compared with patients in the modern group, patients in the historic group were more likely to be on steroids (5% vs 67%, respectively; P < .001) or immunomodulators (0% vs 31%, respectively; P < .001) at surgery. Compared with the historic group, the modern group had a shorter operative time (335.5 ± 78.4 vs 233.8 ± 81.6, respectively; P < .001) and length of stay (LOS; 5.4 ± 3.1 vs 4.2 ± 1.6 days, respectively; P < .001). Compared with the modern group, the historic group exhibited a higher 30-day morbidity rate (20% vs 33%, respectively; P = .04) and an elevated 30-day readmission rate (9% vs 21%, respectively; P = .02). Preoperative steroids use increased complications (odds ratio [OR], 3.4; P = .01), whereas 3-staged IPAA reduced complications (OR, 0.3; P = .03). ERP was identified as a factor that predicted shorter stays.

CONCLUSION

Although ERP effectively reduced the LOS in IPAA surgery, it failed to reduce complications. Conversely, adopting a 3-staged IPAA approach proved beneficial in reducing morbidity, whereas preoperative steroid use increased complications.

Long-term behavior and functional outcomes of ileal-pouch anal anastomosis in inflammatory bowel disease with changing phenotype

BACKGROUND

Ileal-pouch-anal anastomosis is the operation of choice after proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis; some patients will develop Crohn's disease. We aim to determine long-term behavior and outcomes of inflammatory bowel disease-ileal-pouch-anal anastomosis after colectomy, where a specialist gastrointestinal pathologist re-evaluated the initial colectomy specimen.

METHODS

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease-ileal-pouch-anal anastomosis were identified from a single-surgeon prospective database containing 1,165 patients accrued from 1991 to 2017 and invited to complete pouch-function and quality-of-life assessments. Medical records were used to obtain clinical outcomes and subjective functional assessments for those unable to be contacted. Data were compared between patients with and without histological assessment disagreement and subsequent inflammatory bowel disease behavior subgroups.

RESULTS

For 138 patients included in the analysis, the median follow-up was 22.5 (range: 5-39) years. A total of 39.1% of patients had histologic diagnostic change after gastrointestinal pathologist review, and 19% and 39% developed Crohn's disease-like disease behavior at 10- and 20-year follow-ups. Pouch function and quality-of-life scores were similar across diagnostic change subgroups. Pouch failure was higher in Crohn's-like disease (31.1 vs 13.0%, P < .05). Intestinal continuity was maintained in 68.9% of Crohn's disease-like patients, 57.9% required biologics. Gastrointestinal pathologist review did not alter the time to new diagnosis (P = .419) or time to pouch failure (P = .320), mean: 11.0 and 11.41 years, respectively.

CONCLUSION

We describe equivocal patient-reported outcomes in patients with ileal-pouch-anal anastomosis and changing histologic and clinical diagnosis. Although pouch excision and biologic use rates are higher, many Crohn's disease-like patients maintain their pouch. Diagnostic change and pouch failure often occur >10 years after ileal-pouch-anal anastomosis creation. This supports the consideration of ileal-pouch-anal anastomosis after colectomy in carefully selected patients with inflammatory bowel disease, even those with ambiguous histology and the need for close long-term follow-up.

DECIDE: Delphi Expert Consensus Statement on Inflammatory Bowel Disease Dysplasia Shared Management Decision-Making

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Inflammatory bowel disease colitis-associated dysplasia is managed with either enhanced surveillance and endoscopic resection or prophylactic surgery. The rate of progression to cancer after a dysplasia diagnosis remains uncertain in many cases and patients have high thresholds for accepting proctocolectomy. Individualised discussion of management options is encouraged to take place between patients and their multidisciplinary teams for best outcomes. We aimed to develop a toolkit to support a structured, multidisciplinary and shared decision-making approach to discussions about dysplasia management options between clinicians and their patients.

METHODS

Evidence from systematic literature reviews, mixed-methods studies conducted with key stakeholders, and decision-making expert recommendations were consolidated to draft consensus statements by the DECIDE steering group. These were then subjected to an international, multidisciplinary modified electronic Delphi process until an a priori threshold of 80% agreement was achieved to establish consensus for each statement.

RESULTS

In all, 31 members [15 gastroenterologists, 14 colorectal surgeons and two nurse specialists] from nine countries formed the Delphi panel. We present the 18 consensus statements generated after two iterative rounds of anonymous voting.

CONCLUSIONS

By consolidating evidence for best practice using literature review and key stakeholder and decision-making expert consultation, we have developed international consensus recommendations to support health care professionals counselling patients on the management of high cancer risk colitis-associated dysplasia. The final toolkit includes clinician and patient decision aids to facilitate shared decision-making.

Crohn's Disease of the Ileoanal Pouch: A High Rate of Potential Overdiagnoses

BACKGROUND

Approximately 1 in 10 patients with an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is diagnosed with Crohn's disease of the pouch (CDP). However, this diagnosis may be established inappropriately, as alternative underlying causes necessitating an alternative treatment approach, such as long-term surgical sequelae, may mimic CDP. In this study, we aimed to identify patients diagnosed with and treated for CDP with a (concurrent) alternative diagnosis.

METHODS

Ulcerative colitis and inflammatory bowel disease unclassified patients who underwent ileal pouch-anal anastomosis surgery in a tertiary center between 1990 and 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with a postoperative diagnosis of CDP for which medical treatment was initiated were identified. Presence of pouchitis, prepouch ileitis, stricture, and fistulas was assessed and histopathological reports were evaluated. Thereafter, cross-sectional images of the pouch in CDP patients were re-evaluated to identify potential long-term surgical sequelae (ie, chronic presacral sinus or perianastomotic fistulas).

RESULTS

After a median postoperative follow-up of 6.2 (interquartile range, 2.3-13.5) years, 47 (10%) of 481 patients were diagnosed with CDP. CDP patients had pouchitis (n = 38 [81%]), prepouch ileitis (n = 34 [74%]), strictures (n = 17 [36%]), fistulas (n = 15 [32%]), or a combination. Multiple granulomas were found in 1 pouch resection specimen. Re-evaluation of 40 (85%) patients who underwent magnetic resonance imaging revealed presence of long-term surgical sequelae in 17 (43%) patients. Six (15%) patients demonstrated isolated nonanastomotic fistulas.

CONCLUSION

Re-evaluation of cross-sectional imaging of the pouch revealed that potential alternative causes were found in nearly half of CDP patients. Cross-sectional imaging is therefore recommended early in the diagnostic pathway to exclude an alternative diagnosis.

When and Where Should Surgery Be Positioned in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

Surgery for children and adolescents with IBD is often thought of as a combination of a failure of medical management and the only option for the severe complications of the disease such as uncontrolled GI bleeding, perforation, fistulae, sepsis, and bowel obstruction. However, in CD, surgery can sometimes be an appropriate option to control disease progression, improve symptoms, allow children to get back on the growth curve, and avoid the toxicities of prolonged use of steroids. In UC, the decision to operate is theoretically curative but the long-term options mandate either intestinal continuity with an ileal pouch or a lifelong ileostomy, both of which can have significant impacts in patients' quality of life.

Long-term Outcomes and Factors Predicting Outcome of IPAA When Used Intentionally for Well-Defined Crohn's Disease

BACKGROUND

Crohn's disease is considered a contraindication for IPAA. In our prior study, when IPAA was used intentionally for well-defined Crohn's disease, we found a high incidence of recurrent disease with a low incidence of pouch failure.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to replicate these findings in a larger cohort over a longer period.

DESIGN

Retrospective review of a prospective IBD registry.

SETTINGS

Large IBD referral center.

PATIENTS

Patients with preoperative colorectal Crohn's disease requiring surgery were included in the study.

INTERVENTION

IPAA.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Long-term Crohn's disease recurrence, pouch failure, and pouch function.

RESULTS

Forty-six patients were identified. Crohn's disease was diagnosed on the basis of perianal disease (n = 18; 39%), small-bowel disease (n = 16; 35%), noncaseating granuloma (n = 10; 22%), and discontinuous inflammation (colorectal skip lesions) (n = 11; 24%). After a median follow-up of 93 (7-291) months, 22 patients (48%) developed recurrent Crohn's disease based on afferent limb disease (n = 14; 30%) or pouch fistulizing disease (n = 8; 18%). Only 4 patients (9%) developed pouch failure. No clinical factor was associated with Crohn's disease recurrence. Young age at the time of surgery and short duration of disease before IPAA were associated with pouch fistula recurrence ( p = 0.003 and p = 0.03, respectively). Most patients (86%) reported excellent continence, with no urgency (67%) and median stool frequency of 6 (range, 3-9) per day.

LIMITATION

Retrospective nature and relatively small sample size.

CONCLUSION

This largest reported series examining the intentional use of IPAA in Crohn's disease showed a high (48%) incidence of postoperative Crohn's disease with a low (9%) incidence of pouch failure. Young age and short disease course before surgery were risk factors for poor outcomes. Highly motivated patients with colorectal Crohn's disease may consider IPAA and avoid a definitive ileostomy. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/C171 .

RESULTADOS A LARGO PLAZO Y FACTORES PREDICTORES DE RESULTADOS DE LA ANASTOMOSIS ILEOANAL CON RESERVORIO CUANDO SE USA INTENCIONALMENTE PARA LA ENFERMEDAD DE CROHN BIEN DEFINIDA

ANTECEDENTES: La enfermedad de Crohn (EC) se considera una contraindicación para la anastomosis ileoanal con reservorio (IPAA). Nuestro estudio previo de IPAA cuando fue usada intencionalmente para EC bien definida mostró una alta incidencia de enfermedad recurrente con una baja incidencia de falla del reservorio.OBJETIVO: Replicar estos hallazgos en una cohorte más grande durante un período más largo.DISEÑO: Revisión retrospectiva de una base de datos prospectiva de enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal.ESCENARIO: Un centro grande de referencia de EII.PACIENTES: EC colorrectal preoperatoria con necesidad de tratamiento quirúrgico.INTERVENCIÓN: Anastomosis ileoanal con reservorio.RESULTADOS PRINCIPALES: Recurrencia de EC a largo plazo, falla del reservorio y función del reservorio.RESULTADOS: Cuarenta y seis pacientes fueron identificados. El diagnóstico de EC se basó en enfermedad perianal (n = 18; 39%), enfermedad del intestino delgado (n = 16; 35%), granuloma no caseificante (n = 10; 22%) e inflamación discontinua (lesiones salteadas colorrectales) (n = 11; 24%). Después de una mediana de seguimiento de 93 (7-291) meses, 22 (48 %) pacientes desarrollaron EC recurrente debido a enfermedad del asa aferente (n = 14; 30%) o enfermedad fistulizante del reservorio (n = 8; 18%). Solo 4 (9%) pacientes desarrollaron falla del reservorio. Ningún factor clínico se asoció con la recurrencia de EC. La edad joven en el momento de la cirugía y la corta duración de la enfermedad antes de IPAA se asociaron con la recurrencia de la fístula del reservorio ( p = 0.003 y p = 0.03, respectivamente). El recuento de plaquetas preoperatorio más alto fue la única característica clínica significativamente asociada con el fracaso del reservorio ( p = 0.02). La mayoría de los pacientes (86%) reportaron una continencia excelente, sin urgencia (67%) y una mediana de frecuencia evacuatoria de 6 (rango, 3-9) por día.LIMITACIONES: Naturaleza retrospectiva y tamaño de muestra relativamente pequeño.CONCLUSIÓN: Esta serie, la más grande reportada que examina el uso intencional de IPAA en la EC mostró una incidencia alta (48Rectal Cancer: Clinical and Molecular Predictors of a Complete Response to Total Neoadjuvant Therapy%) de EC posoperatoria con una incidencia baja (9%) de falla del reservorio. La edad joven y el curso corto de la enfermedad antes de la cirugía fueron factores de riesgo para pobres resultados. Pacientes altamente motivados con EC colorrectal pueden considerar una IPAA y evitar una ileostomía permanente. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/C171 . (Traducción-Dr. Jorge Silva Velazco ).

Can preoperative CT/MR enterography preclude the development of Crohn's disease-like pouch complications in ulcerative colitis patients undergoing J pouch surgery?

AIM

We aimed to determine whether ulcerative colitis patients with preoperative negative computed tomography or magnetic resonance enterography (CTE/MRE) were less likely to develop Crohn's disease-like pouch complications (CDLPC) and establish risk factors and predictors for developing CDLPC.

METHODS

This was a single centre retrospective analysis of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and inflammatory bowel disease unclassified (IBDU) who underwent total proctocolectomy with ileal J-pouch between January 2010 and December 2020. The study group comprised patients with negative preoperative CTE/MRE and the control group included patients operated without preoperative CTE/MRE.

RESULTS

A total of 131 patients were divided into the negative CTE/MRE study group (76 [58%] patients) and control group (55 [42%] patients). There were no significant differences in incidence rates (21% vs. 23.6%, p = 0.83), time to developing CDLPC from ileostomy closure (22.3 vs. 23.8 months; p = 0.81), pouchitis rates (23.6% vs. 27.2%; p = 0.68), or pouch failure rates (5.2 vs. 7.2; p = 0.71). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed backwash ileitis (HR 4.1; p = 0.03, CI: 1.1-15.1), severe pouchitis (HR 3.4; p = 0.039, CI: 1.0-10.9), and history of perianal disease (HR 3.4; p = 0.017, CI: 1.4-39.6) were independent predictors for CDLPC.

CONCLUSIONS

Negative findings on MRE/CTE prior to J-pouch surgery in ulcerative colitis should be interpreted with caution as it is does not reliably exclude or predict development of CDLPC. These patients should be preoperatively counselled concerning the possibility of developing CDLPC regardless of lack of positive findings on preoperative CTE/MRE. Patients with backwash ileitis with a previous history of perianal disease should be informed of the potentially increased risk of developing such complications.

Transabdominal IPAA Revision: Does Indication Dictate Outcome?

BACKGROUND

Following IPAA failure, select patients are eligible for IPAA revision. Presently, there is limited evidence describing long-term revision outcomes and predictors of revision failure. This represents an important knowledge gap when selecting and counseling patients.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to define long-term IPAA survival outcomes after transabdominal IPAA revision and identify preoperative clinical factors associated with revision failure.

DESIGN

This was a retrospective cohort study.

SETTINGS

This study was conducted at a tertiary referral center.

PATIENTS

This study included all patients who underwent revisional IPAA surgery between 1982 and 2017 for pouch failure.

INTERVENTION

Transabdominal IPAA revision was included.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was pouch failure, defined as pouch excision or permanent pouch diversion, after IPAA revision.

RESULTS

A total of 159 patients (64.2% women) were included with a median age of 36 years (interquartile range, 28.5-46.5) at revision. Eighty percent of patients had a primary diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. The most common indication for revision was leak/pelvic sepsis, representing 41% of the cohort, followed by pouch-vaginal fistula (22.2%), mechanical factors (20.4%), and poor pouch function (14.6%). During the study period, 56 patients (35.2%) experienced pouch failure. The 3-year pouch survival probability was 82.3% (95% CI, 75.5%-87.5%), 5-year pouch survival probability was 77.2% (95% CI, 69.8%-83.0%), and 10-year pouch survival probability was 70.6% (95% CI, 62.6%-77.2%). Compared to mechanical factors, pouch failure was significantly associated with pelvic sepsis (HR, 4.25; 95% CI, 1.50-12.0) and pouch-vaginal fistula (HR, 4.37; 95% CI, 1.47-12.99). No significant association was found between revision failure and previous revision, redo ileoanal anastomosis, or new pouch construction.

LIMITATIONS

This study is limited by its retrospective design.

CONCLUSIONS

Revisional IPAA can be undertaken with favorable long-term outcomes at high-volume centers. Consideration should be given to indication for revision when counseling patients regarding the risk of failure. Further research on risk stratifying patients before revision is required. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B966 .

REVISIN DE LA ANASTOMOSIS ANAL DE LA BOLSA ILEAL TRANSABDOMINAL LA INDICACIN DICTA EL RESULTADO

ANTECEDENTES:Después de la falla en la anastomosis del reservorio ileoanal, los pacientes seleccionados son elegibles para la revisión de la anastomosis del reservorio ileoanal. Actualmente, hay evidencias limitadas que describen los resultados de la revisión a largo plazo y los predictores del fracaso de la revisión. Esto representa un importante vacío de investigación a la hora de seleccionar y asesorar a los pacientes.OBJETIVO:Definir los resultados de supervivencia a largo plazo de la IPAA después de la revisión de la anastomosis del reservorio ileoanal transabdominal e identificar los factores clínicos preoperatorios asociados con el fracaso de la revisión.DISEÑO:Este fue un estudio de cohorte retrospectivo.ENTORNO CLINICO:Este estudio se realizó en un centro de referencia terciario.PARTICIPANTES:Todos los pacientes que se sometieron a una cirugía de revisión de la anastomosis ileoanal del reservorio entre 1982 y 2017, por falla del reservorio.INTERVENCIÓN:Revisión de la anastomosis de reservorio ileoanal transabdominal.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO:El resultado primario es el fracaso del reservorio, definido como escisión del reservorio o derivación permanente del reservorio, después de la revisión de la anastomosis del reservorio ileoanal.RESULTADOS:Se incluyeron un total de 159 pacientes (64,2% mujeres) con una mediana de edad a la revisión de 36 años (RIC: 28,5-46,5). El ochenta por ciento tenía un diagnóstico primario de colitis ulcerosa. La indicación más común para la revisión fue la fuga/sepsis pélvica, que representó el 41 % de la cohorte, seguida de la fístula vaginal del reservorio (22,2 %), factores mecánicos (20,4 %) y mala función del reservorio 14,6 %. Durante el período de estudio, 56 pacientes (35,2 %) experimentaron fallas en la bolsa. Las probabilidades de supervivencia de la bolsa a los 3, 5 y 10 años fueron del 82,3% (IC del 95%: 75,5%-87,5%), del 77,2% (IC del 95%: 69,8%-83,0%) y del 70,6% (IC del 95%: 62,6%- 77,2%), respectivamente. En comparación con los factores mecánicos, la falla de la bolsa se asoció significativamente con sepsis pélvica (HR = 4,25, IC del 95 %: 1,50 a 12,0) y fístula vaginal de la bolsa (HR = 4,37, IC del 95 %: 1,47 a 12,99). No hubo una asociación significativa entre el fracaso de la revisión y la revisión previa, el rehacer la anastomosis ileoanal o la construcción de una nueva bolsa.LIMITACIONES:El estudio está limitado por su diseño retrospectivo.CONCLUSIONES:La revisión de la anastomosis del reservorio ileoanal se puede realizar con resultados favorables a largo plazo en centros de alto volumen. Se debe considerar la indicación de revisión al asesorar a los pacientes sobre el riesgo de fracaso. Se requiere investigación adicional sobre la estratificación del riesgo de los pacientes antes de la revisión. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B966 . (Traducción - Dr. Fidel Ruiz Healy ).

Anastomotic Considerations in Crohn's Disease

A number of factors should be considered when performing an intestinal anastomosis in the setting of surgery for Crohn's disease. Preoperative risk factors, such as malnutrition, abdominal sepsis, and immunosuppressive medications, may increase the risk of postoperative anastomotic complications and alter surgical decision-making. The anatomical configuration and technique of constructing the anastomosis may have an impact on postoperative function and risk of recurrence, particularly in the setting of ileocolic resection, where the Kono-S anastomosis has gained popularity in recent years. There may be circumstances in which it may be more appropriate to perform an ostomy either without an anastomosis or to temporarily divert an anastomosis when the risk of anastomotic complications is felt to be high. In the setting of total abdominal colectomy or proctocolectomy for Crohn's colitis, restorative procedures may appropriate in lieu of a permanent stoma in certain scenarios.

Controversies in Crohn's Disease Before and After Pouch Surgery

BACKGROUND

IPAA is rarely performed in patients with a known diagnosis of Crohn's disease, although it may be done in highly selected patients with an absence of perianal disease or small bowel inflammation. Patients with a preoperative diagnosis of Crohn's disease are, however, at increased risk of developing Crohn's disease of the pouch. Crohn's disease of the pouch can also occur in people with a preoperative diagnosis of ulcerative colitis; however, it is unknown whether this phenotype is similar to classic Crohn's disease involving an intact bowel, or whether it is a distinct entity.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to describe Crohn's disease of the pouch, including luminal inflammation, and fibrostenotic and perforating phenotypes, as well as management of these conditions.

RESULTS

Crohn's disease of the pouch can present in similar ways as classic Crohn's disease, classified as either inflammatory, fibrostenotic, or penetrating. Criteria involving the diagnosis of Crohn's disease of the pouch are stringent to prevent unnecessary treatments, because a diagnosis of Crohn's disease after IPAA for presumed ulcerative colitis can cause mental anguish. Treatment of Crohn's disease of the pouch depends on the presenting phenotype, although therapies are similar to classic Crohn's disease. Endoscopic, or even surgical treatment, may be required for fibrostenotic and fistulizing diseases.

LIMITATIONS

Crohn's disease of the pouch is a newly described disease of patients who undergo an ileoanal pouch anastomosis; and therefore, most of the evidence comes from retrospective trials in patients with an initial diagnosis of ulcerative colitis.

CONCLUSIONS

While Crohn's disease of the pouch is controversial and perhaps a distinct disease within the spectrum of inflammatory bowel diseases, it nonetheless requires long-term medical therapy and close follow-up.

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Staging Pelvic Pouches

Since the mid-20th century, physicians have searched for way to improve the lives of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Early attempts of curative resection left the patients with a permanent stoma with only primitive stoma appliances available. Gradually, stoma care improved and operations were devised to give the patient bowel continuity without the need for a permanent ostomy. As these operations were evolving, benefits and drawbacks related to fertility, ease of small bowel reach to the pelvis, and postoperative pelvic sepsis were observed. In this article, we will elucidate the various ways pelvic pouches are used to treat UC and the rationale for the timing of surgery as well as the evolution of stoma care.

[Ileal pouch after restorative coloproctectomy]

The continuous development of pouch surgery has enabled continence-preserving treatment after coloproctectomy. The ileoanal J‑pouch is nowadays the standard reconstruction after restorative coloproctectomy with excellent functional long-term results. Taking the relative contraindications and a suitable patient selection into consideration, pouch placement can be indicated not only for ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis, but also for patients with nonfistular Crohn's disease. Due to a high treatment density with immunosuppressants, the surgical treatment regimen should be subdivided into a multistage procedure, whereby according to current data a modified two-stage procedure should be favored.

Validation of the Padova Prognostic Score for Colitis in Predicting Long-Term Outcome After Restorative Proctocolectomy

Background

In 10%–20% of cases it is impossible to make a differential diagnosis between ulcerative colitis and Crohn's colitis. A 50% failure rate of J pouch ilea-anal anastomosis is observed in Crohn's colitis. In 2009, we created the Padua Prognostic Score for Colitis (PPSC) to predict the long-term clinical and functional outcome and quality of life of patients undergoing restorative proctocolectomy with J pouch. The aim of the present study is to establish and validate the accuracy of a prognostic score for chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).

Patient population and methods

The PPSC was created in 2009 by integrating clinical and histological information of patients undergoing RPC. It included preoperative perianal abscess or fistula, rectal sparing, terminal ileum involvement, skip lesions and histological diagnosis of indeterminate colitis or Crohn's colitis on the operative specimen. The validity of this score was tested in predicting postoperative abscess or fistula, anal canal disease, pouchitis, pouch failure and new diagnosis of Crohn's disease. Correlation analysis, ROC curve analysis and survival analysis were used to validate the PPSC in a different cohort from the previous one.

Results

We retrospectively enrolled in this study 138 consecutive patients undergoing CPR for ulcerative colitis (n = 127) or indeterminate colitis (n = 11) in our institution since 2005 to 2020. In this period, we observed 11 patients with postoperative abscess or fistula, 3 with anal canal disease, 40 with pouchitis, 6 with pouch failure and 6 with new diagnosis of Crohn's disease. In the new validation cohort, the PPSC confirmed to have a good accuracy in predicting the onset of postoperative CD (AUC = 74.5%, p = 0.018). Kaplan Meier curves demonstrate how a PPSC over 1 can reliably predicts the long-term onset of, pouchitis (p = 0.002) and anal abscess or fistulae (p = 0.04).

Conclusions

In this validation study we confirmed the accuracy of the PPSC in predicting postoperative fistulas or abscesses and pouchitis. Therefore, we believe that in clinical practice patients with a PPSC score greater than 1 should be warned of this risk of possible Crohn’s disease diagnosis and pouch failure.

State-of-the-art surgery for Crohn's disease: Part II-colonic Crohn's disease and associated neoplasms

Despite advances in medical therapy, surgery continues to play a vital role in the management of Crohn's disease and its complications. Continuing from Part I of this series (small intestine/ileal disease), we focus next on colonic Crohn's disease and associated neoplasms. We will first review the surgical management of medical-refractory Crohn's colitis and its complications and then examine cancer risk, surveillance, and surgical management of Crohn's-associated colorectal dysplasia and malignancy. We conclude with a discussion of restoration of gastrointestinal continuity following colonic surgery for Crohn's disease.

Surgical Management of Crohn's Disease

Treatment of Crohn's disease (CD) focuses on providing acceptable quality of life for the affected individual by optimizing medical therapy, endoscopic procedures, and surgical intervention. Biologics have changed the medical management of moderate to severe CD. However, despite their introduction, the need for surgical resection in CD has not drastically changed, with two-thirds of the patients still requiring an intestinal resection. Patient outcomes are optimized by focusing on preoperative management and intraoperative technical aspects to maximize bowel preservation. This article reviews some of the important principles of Crohn's surgery to help guide surgeons when approaching this challenging patient population.

Treatment of pouchitis, Crohn's disease, cuffitis, and other inflammatory disorders of the pouch: consensus guidelines from the International Ileal Pouch Consortium

Pouchitis, Crohn's disease of the pouch, cuffitis, polyps, and extraintestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease are common inflammatory disorders of the ileal pouch. Acute pouchitis is treated with oral antibiotics and chronic pouchitis often requires anti-inflammatory therapy, including the use of biologics. Aetiological factors for secondary pouchitis should be evaluated and managed accordingly. Crohn's disease of the pouch is usually treated with biologics and its stricturing and fistulising complications can be treated with endoscopy or surgery. The underlying cause of cuffitis determines treatment strategies. Endoscopic polypectomy is recommended for large, symptomatic inflammatory polyps and polyps in the cuff. The management principles of extraintestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease in patients with pouches are similar to those in patients without pouches.

Diagnosis and classification of ileal pouch disorders: consensus guidelines from the International Ileal Pouch Consortium

Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is an option for most patients with ulcerative colitis or familial adenomatous polyposis who require colectomy. Although the construction of an ileal pouch substantially improves patients' health-related quality of life, the surgery is, directly or indirectly, associated with various structural, inflammatory, and functional adverse sequelae. Furthermore, the surgical procedure does not completely abolish the risk for neoplasia. Patients with ileal pouches often present with extraintestinal, systemic inflammatory conditions. The International Ileal Pouch Consortium was established to create this consensus document on the diagnosis and classification of ileal pouch disorders using available evidence and the panellists' expertise. In a given individual, the condition of the pouch can change over time. Therefore, close monitoring of the activity and progression of the disease is essential to make accurate modifications in the diagnosis and classification in a timely manner.

Staged Approaches to Restorative Proctocolectomy with Ileoanal Pouch-When and Why?

Restorative proctocolectomy (RPC) with ileal pouch anal-anastomosis (IPAA) is commonly performed for patients with ulcerative colitis, familial adenomatous polyposis, and selected phenotypes of Crohn's disease (CD). Due to concerns about the effects of surgical complications on pouch functional outcomes, debate remains surrounding when and whether RPC with IPAA should be performed in a staged manner. Particularly debated are the timings of the IPAA, whether it is constructed at time of the proctocolectomy and whether to utilize temporary fecal diversion with a loop ileostomy. RPC with IPAA can be performed in one, two, or three stages, with each stage typically separated by 3-6 months. Proponents of a staged approach argue that poor pouch function, which is often a result of IPAA complications, including leak and infection, can be difficult to overcome and mandate additional, major surgeries, and that staging pouch creation and pairing with a protective ileostomy reduce those complications. However, subjecting patients to multiple surgeries and prolonging their time with an ileostomy present unique risks as well. Surgeons' experience and preference and patient characteristics need to be considered when determining operative planning. Highly selected patients with CD can be considered for RPC with IPAA, although with an acknowledgment of inherently higher pouch failure rates. Understanding the short- and long-term consequences of RPC with IPAA construction can help surgeons determine the appropriate approach.

Ileal pouch–anal anastomosis—a personal experience reevaluating complications, pouch survival, and quality of life

Background

Ileal pouch–anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the gold standard for proctocolectomy. The present study evaluates surgical outcomes of the authors’ operations over a 30-year period, including pouch survival and quality of life (QOL).

Methods

Records of patients undergoing IPAA between 1986 and 2015 were retrospectively analyzed regarding early and late complications and pouch survival. An online survey assessed QOL.

Results

Of 119 patients, 84 had chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and 35 non-inflammatory bowel disease (non-IBD). Pouch construction was simultaneous with proctocolectomy in 69% and metachronous in 31%. Double-stapler anastomosis with purse string suture was performed in 100 patients. With temporary transanal decompression by catheter insertion in all patients, loop ileostomy (LIS) was selectively omitted in 68%. Three anastomotic insufficiencies occurred both without (4.4%) and with LIS (9.4%). Perioperative morbidity for LIS closure was substantial (33.3%). In the long-term course, 36 patients (30.5%) required revision (cumulative probability after 15 years: 59.1%). IPAA was discontinued in 16 patients (13.6%), reducing cumulative continence preservation to 72.9% after 15 years. By converting the pouch to a continent ileostomy (CI) in 6 patients with uncorrectable functional complications, cumulative pouch survival reached 81.8% after 27 years. The online survey revealed significant improvements in occupation, sports, and travel vs. before proctocolectomy, but no change in sexual life. Physical, psychological, and social scores were still below the age-matched norm values. Whereas >90% were satisfied with the surgical outcome, only 3/25 had no functional improvement requests.

Conclusion

IPAA in double-stapler technique is safe, even without protective LIS. However, short- and long-term morbidity is considerable, with a non-negligible risk of continence loss. Conversion to CI for purely functional complications can significantly reduce definite pouch failure. Despite patients’ high subjective satisfaction, QOL remains objectively compromised.