Colonic disease recurrence following proctectomy with end colostomy for anorectal Crohn's disease

Long-Term Complications of Proctectomy for Refractory Perianal Crohn's Disease: A Narrative Review

Despite a combination of medical and surgical treatments, many patients with perianal Crohn's disease (CD) continue to experience refractory disease, requiring proctectomy or proctocolectomy, with the creation of a permanent stoma. Although proctectomy is seen as an ultimate treatment aimed at effectively relieving debilitating symptoms and enhancing quality of life, many patients may still face long-term and chronic complications. This narrative review aims to provide an overview of the main complications that patients undergoing proctectomy for CD may experience throughout their lives. Relevant publications addressing complications of proctectomy for refractory perianal CD were searched in the Medline/PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and LILACS databases. The main long-term complications that patients encounter are related to impaired perineal wound healing, stoma-related issues, sexual and urinary dysfunction, small bowel obstructions, and CD recurrence. These complications negatively affect the quality of life and frequently necessitate further treatment. Patients should receive preoperative counselling regarding the implications of these particular issues, and regular follow-up must be guaranteed to identify any problems early, allowing for prompt treatment.

Operative Management of Small and Large Bowel Crohn's Disease

The majority of patients with Crohn's disease, despite an ever-increasing number of advanced therapies, require abdominal surgery during their lifetime. In this review article, the authors provide a comprehensive overview of abdominal surgery for Crohn's disease, with an evidence-based focus on surgery for upper gastrointestinal Crohn's disease, bowel-preserving surgery with strictureplasties, selection of ileocolic anastomotic technique for terminal ileal Crohn's disease, extended resections and proctectomy for Crohn's proctocolitis, intentional ileoanal pouch for Crohn's disease, and several "hot topics" including early surgery for ileocolic Crohn's disease, and surgical approaches that target the mesentery including the Kono-S anastomosis and extended mesenteric excision.

Long-term outcomes of 'temporary' defunctioning in patients with severe perianal Crohn's disease

AIM

This study aimed to analyse long-term outcomes in patients undergoing temporary faecal diversion for therapy-refractory Crohn's perianal fistulas.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, Crohn's patients who underwent defunctioning for perianal disease between 2012 and 2022 were included. The primary endpoints were successful ostomy reversal and proctectomy/proctocolectomy rates. Secondary endpoints were clinical fistula closure, development of proximal colonic disease recurrence, and the influence of medication, patient and disease characteristics on ostomy reversal.

RESULTS

In total, 53 patients were included, 35 colostomies and 18 ileostomies. Previous L2 disease was more frequently seen in the ileostomy group (colostomy 29%, ileostomy 83%; P = 0.004). Clinical closure of the fistula was seen in 26%. 21% (11/53 patients) underwent an attempt at ostomy reversal during a median overall follow-up of 90.1 months (interquartile range 17.5-82.5) of which nine ostomies (colostomy 23%, ileostomy 6%; P = 0.244) were closed successfully. In 35%, a proctectomy/proctocolectomy was required to control ongoing perianal sepsis. Factors associated with ostomy reversal were fistula closure (P < 0.001) and L1/L3 disease (P = 0.043). In patients with ostomy reversal attempt (n = 11), successful reversal was associated with colostomy (P = 0.055) and use of anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) (P = 0.055) despite being previously classified as anti-TNF refractory.

CONCLUSION

Ostomy reversal rates are low, so defunctioning ostomies should be carefully considered because in most patients the ostomy will be permanent. In one-third of the patients, a proctectomy/proctocolectomy is required to treat ongoing perianal sepsis. If a patient is eligible for ostomy reversal, reversal should preferably be done under anti-TNF to optimize chances of success.

ECCO Guidelines on Therapeutics in Crohn's Disease: Surgical Treatment

This article is the second in a series of two publications on the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation [ECCO] evidence-based consensus on the management of Crohn's disease. The first article covers medical management; the present article addresses surgical management, including preoperative aspects and drug management before surgery. It also provides technical advice for a variety of common clinical situations. Both articles together represent the evidence-based recommendations of the ECCO for Crohn's disease and an update of prior ECCO Guidelines.

Post-operative prevention and monitoring of Crohn's disease recurrence

Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are relapsing and remitting chronic inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Although surgery for UC can provide a cure, surgery for CD is rarely curative. In the past few decades, research has identified risk factors for postsurgical CD recurrence, enabling patient risk stratification to guide monitoring and prophylactic treatment to prevent CD recurrence. A MEDLINE literature review identified articles regarding post-operative monitoring of CD recurrence after resection surgery. In this review, we discuss the evidence on risk factors for post-operative CD recurrence as well as suggestions on post-operative management.