Long-term results of abdominal salvage surgery following restorative proctocolectomy

The Surgical Management of Ileal Pouch Strictures

BACKGROUND

Total proctocolectomy with IPAA reconstruction is the surgical approach of choice in ulcerative colitis, indeterminate colitis, familial adenomatous polyposis, and selected patients with Crohn's disease. Pouch stricture is a common complication after IPAA.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to identify surgical management options for pouch stricture and offer a treatment algorithm.

DATA SOURCES

A computer-assisted search of the online bibliographic databases MEDLINE and Embase from 1990 to 2021 was performed.

STUDY SELECTION

Randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, observational studies, and case reports were considered.

INTERVENTIONS

Mechanical dilation, strictureplasty, stapler resection, pouch advancement, bypass, and repeat IPAA were included.

MAIN OUTCOMES

Twenty-three articles were considered eligible. Overall incidence of strictures varied from 5% to 38%. Strictures were categorized into 3 areas: pouch inlet (with a reported incidence of 9% to 56%), mid-pouch (with a reported incidence of 2%), and pouch-anal anastomosis (with a reported incidence of 43% to 87%). Pouch-anal strictures were initially managed using bougie or Hegar dilation, with various surgical procedures advocated when initial dilation failed. Mid-pouch strictures are relatively unstudied with scant data. Pouch inlet strictures can be surgically managed by various transabdominal techniques' including resection and reconnection, strictureplasty, or bypass.

RESULTS

Pouch-anal strictures should be managed in a step-up strategy as conservative procedures are associated with acceptable success rates. Initial mechanical dilation using bougie or Hegar dilation has a success rate of >80%, although it is likely to require repeat dilations. When these measures fail, transanal surgical approaches using strictureplasty, stapler resection' or pouch advancement should be offered. Transabdominal pouch revision should be offered to patients refractory to a transanal approach. In mid-pouch strictures, the treatment of choice is pouch revision and reanastomosis. Pouch inlet strictures can be managed by resection, strictureplasty, or bypass depending on the location and length of the stricture and surgeon experience.

LIMITATIONS

Studies were often small and retrospectively analyzed. There were no randomized controlled trials or comparison between different treatment options.

Revisional ileoanal pouch surgery: a systematic literature review assessing outcomes over the last 40 years

AIM

Failure of primary ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) occurs in up to 15% of patients. Revision surgery may be offered to patients wishing to maintain gastrointestinal continuity. This paper explores the literature relating to IPAA revision surgery, focusing on pouch function after revision and factors associated with pouch failure.

METHODS

Search of PubMed database was carried out for 'ileal pouch anal anastomoses', 'ileoanal pouch', 'restorative proctocolectomy', 'revision surgery', 'redo surgery', 'failure', 'refashion surgery', 'reconstruction surgery' and 'salvage surgery'. Papers were screened using the PRISMA literature review strategy. Studies of adults published after 1980 in English with an available abstract were included. Case reports and studies that were superseded using the same data were excluded.

RESULTS

Nineteen papers (1424 patients) were identified. Bowel motion frequency doubled following revision surgery compared to primary IPAA although the increase was not always statistically significant. In patients failing primary IPAA, frequency of daytime bowel motions improved following revision in three studies but only reached significance in one (12.1 vs. 6.9, P = 0.021). Risk of pouch failure is increased in patients who develop pelvic sepsis after the primary procedure with the largest study demonstrating a four-fold increased risk (hazard ratio 3.691, P < 0.0001). A final diagnosis of Crohn's causes a four-fold increased risk of pouch failure (n = 81; OR 3.92, 95% CI 1.1-15.9, P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients undergoing revisional surgery, improved outcomes are observed but are inferior compared to primary IPAA patients. Pelvic sepsis after primary IPAA and a final diagnosis of Crohn's are associated with increased risk of pouch failure.

Ileal-anal pouches: A review of its history, indications, and complications

The ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) has revolutionised the surgical management of ulcerative colitis (UC) and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Despite refinement in surgical technique(s) and patient selection, IPAA can be associated with significant morbidity. As the IPAA celebrated its 40^th anniversary in 2018, this review provides a timely outline of its history, indications, and complications. IPAA has undergone significant modification since 1978. For both UC and FAP, IPAA surgery aims to definitively cure disease and prevent malignant degeneration, while providing adequate continence and avoiding a permanent stoma. The majority of patients experience long-term success, but “early” and “late” complications are recognised. Pelvic sepsis is a common early complication with far-reaching consequences of long-term pouch dysfunction, but prompt intervention (either radiological or surgical) reduces the risk of pouch failure. Even in the absence of sepsis, pouch dysfunction is a long-term complication that may have a myriad of causes. Pouchitis is a common cause that remains incompletely understood and difficult to manage at times. 10% of patients succumb to the diagnosis of pouch failure, which is traditionally associated with the need for pouch excision. This review provides a timely outline of the history, indications, and complications associated with IPAA. Patient selection remains key, and contraindications exist for this surgery. A structured management plan is vital to the successful management of complications following pouch surgery.

Surgical solutions for refractory J-pouch inlet obstruction

AIM

Many surgeons consider total proctectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis as the treatment of choice for patients with medically refractory ulcerative colitis or ulcerative colitis with dysplasia. However, obstruction occurring at the pouch inlet or involving the afferent limb can be refractory to nonoperative or endoscopic management. Historically, these refractory obstructions have usually required resection of the pouch. There is now increasing evidence to suggest that pouch salvage surgery may be feasible in these patients.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed of all patients of a single surgical practice who underwent a neo ileal-pouch anastomosis for J-pouch inlet obstructions between 2000 and 2017. Data collected included patient demographics, preoperative workup, intra-operative findings, type of surgical intervention and postoperative outcomes.

RESULTS

Surgical interventions were performed on eight patients with J-pouch inlet obstructions. Six patients had inlet strictures or acute angulations at the inlet, which were either bypassed or resected and primarily anastomosed. Two patients had internal hernias posterior to the mesentery, with volvulus of the pouch. At a mean follow-up of 36.5 months, all patients retained their pouches and the mean number of daily bowel movements was eight. Two major and two minor complications occurred.

DISCUSSION

J-pouch inlet obstructions may take years to develop. In patients with obstruction who are refractory to endoscopic or medical treatment, good functional results may be obtained with pouch salvage procedures. With increasing numbers of J-pouches being performed, awareness of novel surgical techniques is important.

Ileal pouch revision vs excision: short-term (30-day) outcomes from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program

AIM

Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) failure occurs in approximately 5%-10% of patients. We aimed to compare short-term (30-day) postoperative outcomes associated with pouch revision and pouch excision using a large international database. Our null hypothesis was that there is no statistically significant difference in overall postoperative complications between patients selected for pouch revision vs pouch excision.

METHODS

Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Participant User File from 2005 to 2016 we identified patients who underwent either IPAA revision via the combined abdominoperineal approach [Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) 46712] or IPAA excision (CPT 45136). Differences in baseline characteristics and short-term outcomes between groups were assessed with univariate and matched analyses.

RESULTS

We identified 593 reoperative IPAA procedures: revision group 78 (13%) and excision group 515 (86%). The groups had similar age and body mass index (kg/m² ), but the revision group had more women (65.4% vs 51.8%, P = 0.02) and fewer were on chronic steroids (3.9% vs 17.9%, P = 0.0008) relative to the excision group. Revision IPAA patients were more likely to have received a preoperative transfusion (5.1% vs 0.97%, P = 0.02). Revision and excision were associated with similar postoperative length of stay (9.3 vs 8.6 days, 0.44), mortality (nil vs 0.58%, respectively; P = 0.99) and short-term morbidity (34.6% vs 40.2%, respectively; P = 0.88) at 30 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Pouch revision and excision have comparable short-term postoperative outcomes, but pouch excision appears to be more commonly utilized. Increased awareness of the indications for pouch revision or referral to specialized centres may improve pouch revision rates.

The Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland consensus guidelines in surgery for inflammatory bowel disease

AIM

There is a requirement of an expansive and up to date review of surgical management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can dovetail with the medical guidelines produced by the British Society of Gastroenterology.

METHODS

Surgeons who are members of the ACPGBI with a recognised interest in IBD were invited to contribute various sections of the guidelines. They were directed to produce a procedure based document using literature searches that were systematic, comprehensible, transparent and reproducible. Levels of evidence were graded. An editorial board was convened to ensure consistency of style, presentation and quality. Each author was asked to provide a set of recommendations which were evidence based and unambiguous. These recommendations were submitted to the whole guideline group and scored. They were then refined and submitted to a second vote. Only those that achieved >80% consensus at level 5 (strongly agree) or level 4 (agree) after 2 votes were included in the guidelines.

RESULTS

All aspects of surgical care for IBD have been included along with 157 recommendations for management.

CONCLUSION

These guidelines provide an up to date and evidence based summary of the current surgical knowledge in the management of IBD and will serve as a useful practical text for clinicians performing this type of surgery.

Transabdominal salvage surgery after pouch failure in a tertiary center: A case-matched study

BACKGROUND

Salvage surgery after failure of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) could be offered to selected patients. However, the results vary widely in different centers.

AIMS

To assess the outcomes of salvage surgery by comparison with a control group matched for confounding variables.

METHODS

From a prospective database of 1286 IPAA, patients undergoing transabdominal salvage surgery were compared for perioperative and functional outcomes and quality of life (QOL) to a 1:3 control group of primary IPAA cases.

RESULTS

Salvage surgery patients (30) had a higher rate of hand-sewn anastomoses (80 vs 20%, p <0.0001) and reoperations (10 vs 2.2%, p 0.02) than control group (90). A higher number of daytime and nighttime bowel movements (7.4 vs 4.1, p <0.0001, and 2.6 vs 1.8, p=0.002), a lower median CGQL score (0.7 vs 0.8, p=0.0001) and a higher rate of pouch fistulae (13.3 vs 1.1%, p=0.003) were reported after salvage surgery. Pouch failure rate after salvage surgery was 10.1%, 18.7% and 26.8% at 1, 5 and 10 years (vs 0%, 3.5% and 8.4% in control group, p=0.0085).

CONCLUSIONS

Although worse functional outcomes and decreased QOL have to be expected, salvage surgery after pouch failure is associated with acceptable outcomes when performed in a referral center.

A think tank of the Italian Society of Colorectal Surgery (SICCR) on the surgical treatment of inflammatory bowel disease using the Delphi method: ulcerative colitis

The majority of patients suffering from ulcerative colitis (UC) are managed successfully with medical treatment, but a relevant number of them will still need surgery at some point in their life. Medical treatments and surgical techniques have changed dramatically in recent years, and available guidelines from relevant societies are rapidly evolving, providing UC experts with updated and valid practical recommendations. However, some aspects of the management of UC patients are still debated, and the application of guidelines in clinical practice may be suboptimal. The Italian Society of Colorectal Surgery (SICCR) sponsored the think tank in order to identify critical aspects of the surgical management of UC in Italy. The present paper reports the results of a think tank of Italian colorectal surgeons concerning surgery for UC and was not developed as an alternative to authoritative guidelines currently available. Members of the SICCR voted on several items proposed by the writing committee, based on evidence from the literature. The results are presented, focusing on points to be implemented. UC management relies on evaluations that need to be individualized, but points of major disagreement reported in this paper should be considered in order to develop strategies to improve the quality of the evidence and the application of guidelines in a clinical setting.

Outcomes of salvage surgery for ileal pouch complications and dysfunctions. the experience of a referral centre and review of literature

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Failure rates of restorative proctocolectomy with ileo pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) range between 3.5 and 15%. Salvage surgery aims to preserve the pouch and transanal evacuation. We report our experience with salvage, review the outcomes of revisional pouch surgery, and propose a classification of pouch dysfunction.

METHODS

We collected data on patients undergoing pouch salvage surgery between 1987 and 2014 at our hospital. Pre- and post-salvage functional data were assessed. Function at the 3-year follow-up was compared with that of matched IPAA controls (study patients:controls, 1:3).

RESULTS

Considering only patients who underwent primary IPAA at our centre (n = 31), 5-year failure was higher after salvage compared with primary IPAA (28.8 vs 5.7% log rank test, p = 0.005). Overall, we included 39 patients, with eight additional patients who received primary IPAA elsewhere, undergoing 46 procedures. Most patients had a J-pouch (74.4%) and needed salvage for septic complications. A transperineal approach was used in 22 patients, whereas 17 underwent abdominal salvage, with 77.3 and 64.7% success rates, respectively. Minor surgery was effective but required repeated procedures. Overall failure was 28.2% at a median follow-up of 42 (1-153) months. A significant decrease in bowel frequency (p = 0.021) and rate of urgency (p = 0.009) was observed at the 3-year follow-up after salvage in 25 patients available for comparison. Functional results after major salvage procedures were poorer compared with healthy IPAA controls (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Salvage surgery is effective and safe in experienced teams, but the 5-year failure rate is higher after salvage than after successful primary pouch surgery. Sepsis brings about a higher risk of failure compared with mechanical causes of dysfunction.

A reappraisal of the ileo-rectal anastomosis in ulcerative colitis

Colectomy is still frequently required in the care of ulcerative colitis. The most common indications are either non-responding colitis in the emergency setting, chronic active disease, steroid-dependent disease or neoplastic change like dysplasia or cancer. The use of the ileal pouch anal anastomosis has internationally been the gold standard, substituting the rectum with a pouch. Recently the use of the ileorectal anastomosis has increased in frequency as reconstructive method after subtotal colectomy. Data from centres using ileorectal anastomosis have shown the method to be safe, with functionality and risk of failure comparable to the ileal pouch anal anastomosis. The methods have different advantages as well as disadvantages, depending on a number of patient factors and where in life the patient is at time of reconstruction. The ileorectal anastomosis could, together with the Kock continent ileostomy, in selected cases be a complement to the ileal pouch anal anastomosis in ulcerative colitis and should be discussed with the patient before deciding on reconstructive method.

Functional and manometric outcomes after redo-ileal pouch anal anastomosis in patients with ulcerative colitis

AIM

To retrospectively analyze manometric findings in patients with ulcerative colitis who underwent redo-ileo anal anastomosis for pouch-related complications.

METHODS

Functional and anal manometric parameters were analyzed before, immediately after, and 6 months after the procedure in 17 patients who underwent redo-ileo anal anastomosis between 2001 and 2012.

RESULTS

Of the 17 patients, 13 showed stoma closure and 9 have maintained gastrointestinal continuity with functional pouches. Manometric findings were similar before and immediately after redo-ileo anal anastomosis, including length of high-pressure zone (p = 0.11) and maximum resting and (p = 0.060) squeezing (p = 0.69) pressures, but maximum resting pressure improved significantly 6 months later (p = 0.021). Univariate analysis showed that ulcerative colitis duration <3 years before ileo anal anastomosis (p = 0.0073), interval between pouch-related complications and ileo anal anastomosis <2 years (p = 0.040), and persistent abscess before diversion ileostomy (p = 0.0024) were significant risk factors for pouch failure after redo-ileo anal anastomosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Although maximum resting pressure was significantly reduced 3 months after redo-ileo anal anastomosis, it returned to preoperative levels after 6 months. The length of the high-pressure zone and the maximum squeezing pressure were not affected by this procedure.

Revision IPAA: strategies for success

The history of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is one of success with durable surgical and functional results. However, pouch failure, due to infection, mechanical, or functional disability, represents a challenge to both surgeon and patient. Practicing surgeons who deal with the revision pouch face a variety of challenges. Success requires a strategy, which includes critical planning, preparation, and surgical techniques in order that surgeons continue to provide solutions and hope to patients.

Managing intractable proctitis and the problematic pouch

Proctitis accounts for a significant proportion of cases of ulcerative colitis (UC), and some patients subsequently develop more extensive disease. However, most patients continue to have limited inflammation, although the changes in the distal colon and rectum can occasionally be severe, and symptoms of increased frequency, rectal bleeding and urgency can be as disabling as they are for patients with more extensive colitis. Furthermore, although symptoms are typically well controlled with standard medications, medically refractory proctitis poses particular problems. Patients generally are not systemically unwell, and there is no added fear of cancer. Therefore, the prospect of colectomy for such limited disease is resisted by patients, physicians and surgeons alike. Unusual therapies, often delivered locally by enema or suppository, have been tested in small case series without definitive outcomes. The pathogenesis of such limited, yet intractable inflammation remains unclear, and the differential diagnosis should be carefully reviewed to ensure that local disease, whether it is infectious, vascular, or a result of injury or degeneration, is not overlooked. Ileo-anal pouch formation is the surgery of choice for about 20% of patients with UC who undergo colectomy. In the majority of cases, this surgery results in an acceptable quality of life and freedom from a stoma. However, in a sizeable minority of cases, pouch dysfunction can cause intractable problems. The causes of pouch dysfunction are varied and must all be considered carefully, particularly in refractory cases. Pouchitis is a common issue and is usually transient and easily treated. However, refractory and chronic pouchitis can be challenging. Ischaemia, injury, infection and Crohn's disease can all cause refractory pouch dysfunction. In a minority of cases, there appears to be no apparent organic pathology, and the presumptive diagnosis is that of a functional pouch disorder. Although it is much rarer, neoplastic changes in the pouch must also be considered, and the risk managed appropriately. The management of both intractable proctitis and the problematic pouch is made more challenging by the wide differential diagnosis that must be considered and by the paucity of high-quality clinical trials to support any one therapy. Key strategies to overcoming these limitations include methodical and systematic investigation and review, and a willingness to tailor therapy to the individual patient. Clinical trials of new treatments should be supported, and data from the experience with small cohorts of patients should be meticulously collected, critically analysed and widely disseminated.

Redo Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis combined with anti-TNF-α maintenance therapy for Crohn's disease with pelvic fistula: report of two cases

Pouch failure has been reported to occur after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for Crohn's disease. We report two cases of patients with Crohn's disease, who underwent redo ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (redo-IPAA) combined with anti-TNF-α maintenance therapy, with good functional results. The first patient, a man with presumed ulcerative colitis, suffered pelvic fistula recurrence and anastomotic dehiscence. He underwent redo-IPAA, at which time longitudinal ulcers were found. Infliximab was started 4 days postoperatively and continued. The second patient, a woman treated for ulcerative colitis, underwent laparoscopic IPAA 8 years later. After the development of a pelvic fistula, twisted mesentery of the ileal pouch was found intraoperatively and Crohn's disease was diagnosed. Adalimumab therapy resulted in fistula closure. Redo-IPAA was performed to normalize the twisted mesentery of the ileal pouch. No complications have been observed in either patient, both of whom have experienced good functional results after closure of the covering stomas.

Technical aspects of ileoanal pouch surgery in patients with ulcerative colitis

Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is the procedure of choice for patients with ulcerative colitis requiring surgery. A J-pouch with a stapled anastomosis has been the preferred technique because it is quicker, safer, and associated with good functional outcomes. A diverting loop ileostomy is usually created at the time of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. In patients with severe fulminant colitis or toxic megacolon, restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is performed in multistages. The technical aspects of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis in patients with ulcerative colitis are reviewed in this article.

Reoperative inflammatory bowel disease surgery

With the advent of restorative proctocolectomy or ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) for ulcerative colitis (UC), not only has there been potential for cure of UC but also patients have enjoyed marked improvements in bowel function, continence, and quality of life. However, IPAA can be complicated by postoperative small bowel obstruction, disease recurrence, and pouch failure secondary to pelvic sepsis, pouch dysfunction, mucosal inflammation, and neoplastic transformation. These may necessitate emergent or expeditious elective reoperation to salvage the pouch and preserve adequate function. Local, transanal, and transabdominal approaches to IPAA salvage are described, and their indications, outcomes, and the clinical parameters that affect the need for salvage are discussed. Pouch excision for failed salvage reoperation is reviewed as well. Relaparotomy is also frequently required for recurrent Crohn's disease (CD), especially given the nature of this as yet incurable illness. Risk factors for CD recurrence are examined, and the various surgical options and margins of resection are evaluated with a focus on bowel-sparing policy. Stricturoplasty, its outcomes, and its importance in recurrent disease are discussed, and segmental resection is compared with more extensive procedures such as total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis. Lastly, laparoscopy is addressed with respect to its long-term outcomes, effect on surgical recurrence, and its application in the management of recurrent CD.

Long-term failure and function after restorative proctocolectomy - a multi-centre study of patients from the UK National Ileal Pouch Registry

OBJECTIVE

There is little information on the long-term failure and function after restorative proctocolectomy (RPC). The results of data submitted to a national registry were analysed.

METHOD

The UK National Pouch Registry was established in 2004. By 2006, it comprised data collected from ten centres between 1976 and 2006. The long-term failure and functional outcome were determined. Trends over time were assessed using the gamma statistic or the Kruskal-Wallis statistic wherever appropriate.

RESULTS

In all, 2491 patients underwent primary RPC over a median of 54 months (range 1 month to 28.9 years). Of these, 127 (5.1%) underwent abdominal salvage surgery. The incidence of failure (excision or indefinite diversion) was 7.7% following primary and 27.5% following salvage RPC (P < 0.001). The median frequency of defaecation/24 h was five including one at night. Nocturnal seepage occurred in 8% at 1 year, rising to 15.4% at 20 years (P = 0.037). Urgency was experienced by 5.1% of patients at 1 year rising to 9.1% at 15 years (P = 0.022). Stool frequency and the need for antidiarrhoeal medication were greater following salvage RPC.

CONCLUSION

In patients retaining anal function after RPC, frequency of defaecation was stable over 20 years. Faecal urgency and minor incontinence worsened with time. Function after salvage RPC was significantly worse.

Long-term surgical load in patients with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis

AIM

To evaluate surgical workload and complications in patients who had undergone restorative proctocolectomy, through long-term follow-up in one single institution.

METHOD

From 1984 to 2006, 304 consecutive patients underwent Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis (IPAA). There were 182 stapled and 122 hand-sewn anastomoses. A protective loop ileostomy was established in 256 patients (84%), whereas 48 patients (16%) were without a covering stoma.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine patients (10%) suffered from early anastomotic leakage. A protective stoma did not prevent early anastomotic dehiscence (P = 0.11) or the number of pelvic abscesses (P = 0.09). Early complications required 20 laparotomies with creation of a diverting stoma in nine patients. There were 16 (6%) complications related to closure of the loop ileostomy. Sixty-six patients needed an additional re-operation related to the IPAA procedure. There were 20 removals of pouches and three permanent diverting stomas. The estimated removal rate at 20 years of a functioning pouch was 11% (CI +/- 6). Altogether 100 (33%) patients had one or more surgical procedures, excluding dilations of anastomotic strictures and closing of a loop ileostomy. These 100 patients underwent 187 surgical procedures. The estimated rate of a first re-operation due to complications was 52% (CI +/- 16) in 20 years. Hand-sewn anastomoses had similar complications and failure rates as stapled anastomoses.

CONCLUSIONS

More than half of patients operated with restorative proctocolectomy will need surgical intervention within 20 years and the failure rate is more than 10%. The high risk of complications and failure inherent in the procedure should not be ignored.

Anal fistula plug in high fistula-in-ano: an early Saudi experience

PURPOSE

The Surgisis AFP anal fistula plug is a bioabsorbable xenograft designed to assist in the closure of anorectal fistulas. Its efficacy was studied in a series of patients at King Khalid University Hospital, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

Patients with chronic and/or complicated anorectal fistulas were prospectively studied. Diagnoses were made by clinical, radiographic, or endoscopic criteria. The number of fistula tracts (based on the number of primary openings) and the duration of draining setons was recorded. Under general anesthesia, patients underwent identification and irrigation of the fistula tracts using hydrogen peroxide. The anal fistula plug was used to occlude the primary opening for each high anal/anorectal fistula not amenable to fistulotomy. The plug was securely sutured into place at the primary opening using absorbable suture.

RESULTS

Twenty-two consecutive patients were prospectively enrolled. In total, 23 fistula tracts were treated. Three anorectal fistulas failed to close early in the study, but two failures were attributed to technical error. Both patients refused to undergo a second procedure. The third failure occurred because of recurrent Crohn's disease. After a mean follow-up of 12 months, 19 of the 23 fistula tracts remained successfully closed, for an overall success rate of 83%. There was no relationship between closure of the fistula and the presence of draining setons.

CONCLUSIONS

In our experience, closure of cryptoglandular anorectal fistula tracts using the Surgisis AFP anal fistula plug is safe and successful in 83% of fistula tracts at 12 months of follow-up.

Guide to endoscopy of the ileo-anal pouch following restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis; indications, technique, and management of common findings

Restorative proctocolectomy (RPC) with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is the surgical procedure of choice for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). It is also performed in selected patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). A significant proportion of patients will develop pouch dysfunction. Flexible pouchoscopy is the most important initial investigation in patients with dysfunction. It is also important in UC and FAP surveillance. The aim is to provide gastroenterologists with a clear understanding of the technique, indications, and diagnostic pitfalls when investigating RPC patients with flexible pouchoscopy. Flexible pouchoscopy for the investigation of RPC patients with pouch dysfunction has a high diagnostic yield, with most causes of pouch dysfunction identifiable during this procedure. The risk of developing dysplasia following RPC is low. Surveillance pouchoscopy is only recommended in those with FAP, those with a previous history of dysplasia or carcinoma, primary sclerosing cholangitis, those with a retained rectal cuff, and those with Type C histological changes. Flexible pouchoscopy is a useful first-line investigation in patients with pouch dysfunction. It can be performed without sedation and has a high diagnostic yield; it is also important as part of surveillance in FAP and selected UC patients.

Repeat pouch surgery by the abdominal approach safely salvages failed ileal pelvic pouch

PURPOSE

: This study evaluated outcomes of patients with abdominal salvage operations for failed ileal pouch-anal anastomosis.

METHODS

: Patients undergoing laparotomy for ileoanal pouch salvage were reviewed from a prospectively maintained pouch database and records.

RESULTS

: From 1983 to 2007, 241 abdominal reconstructions were performed. The median follow-up was 5 years (range, 0.04-20.8). Diagnoses before primary ileal pouch-anal anastomosis were ulcerative colitis in 187, familial adenomatous polyposis in 22, indeterminate colitis in 20, Crohn's disease in 9, and other in 3. The most common indications for salvage were fistula (n = 67), leak (n = 65), stricture (n = 42) pouch dysfunction (n = 40), pelvic abscess (n = 25). Seventy-one cases had a new pouch constructed. One hundred and seventy cases had the original pouch salvaged. Twenty-nine cases had either pouch excision or ileostomy without pouch excision the result of failure after reconstruction. To assess functional results and quality of life, patients with reconstruction were matched to those with a primary ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. Significantly higher proportions of patients with reconstruction reported seepage during daytime (P = 0.002), at night (P = 0.015), and daytime pad usage (P = 0.02). Other parameters and quality of life were similar between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

: Repeat abdominal surgery was a good alternative for pouch failure. Functional and quality of life outcomes were encouraging.

Ileal pouch dysfunction: diagnosis and management

Restorative proctocol ectomy is the elective surgical procedure of choice for most patients who have ulcerative colitis or familial adenomatous polyposis. This major advance has offered an alternative to permanent ileostomy in these patients.

Indeterminate colitis: a review of the concept--what's in a name?

The precise diagnosis of colitis cannot always be established with the available diagnostic tools. The subgroup of patients with an uncertain diagnosis has been classified as "indeterminate colitis" (IC). The definition of "indeterminate," however, has changed over the years. Originally, IC was proposed by pathologists for colectomy specimens, usually from patients operated on for severe colitis, showing overlapping features of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). Later, the same terminology was used for patients showing no clear clinical, endoscopic, histologic, and other features allowing a diagnosis of either UC or CD. Therefore, it is difficult to compare different studies. An International Organization of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IOIBD) working party confirmed 1) the ambiguous nature of the term, and 2) proposes an updated classification for the category of patients with an unclear diagnosis. According to this, the term IBD unclassified (IBDU) is confirmed, as suggested by the Montreal Working Party 2005 for patients with clinically chronic colitis, that clearly have IBD but when definitive features of CD or UC are absent. In resected specimens the term "colitis of uncertain type or etiology" (CUTE) is preferred. It is accepted that most of the time this may have a prefix, such as severe, chronic. The classification of IBD varies when based only on biopsies rather than on a colectomy specimen. The vast majority of these have severe colitis. For those that cannot bear to abandon the highly ambiguous term IC, if it is used at all, this is where it can be used parenthetically.

Review article: restorative proctocolectomy, indications, management of complications and follow-up--a guide for gastroenterologists

BACKGROUND

Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is the procedure of choice for the majority of patients with ulcerative colitis who require surgery. Over 2500 patients in the UK have undergone restorative proctocolectomy. It is now increasingly being performed in district general hospitals as well as in specialist inflammatory bowel disease units. Gastroenterologists are increasingly involved in the management of patients following restorative proctocolectomy.

AIM

To provide gastroenterologists with a clear understanding of the investigation and evidence-based management of complications and the aftercare required in patients who have undergone restorative proctocolectomy.

RESULTS

Following restorative proctocolectomy, most patients have an excellent long-term functional outcome. Pouchitis, pelvic sepsis and poor function are the most common causes of failure. The development of cancer is rare; nevertheless, long-term follow-up is required.

CONCLUSIONS

The investigation and management of patients who develop complications require a multidisciplinary team approach to optimize the outcome. Protocols are suggested for investigation and management of patients with complications and for long-term cancer surveillance.

Surgery for ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory condition of unknown aetiology affecting all or part of the rectum and colon. The mainstay of treatment is medical but there are specific indications for surgical intervention. This article reviews the evolution of surgical management and in particular compares outcome from proctocolectomy and pouch surgery. A number of factors determining choice of procedure are examined, including elective or emergency presentation, patient selection, technical issues, morbidity and quality of life. Emphasis is made regarding a full explanation of these factors so that the patient is fully involved in the final decision regarding choice of procedure.

Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis

BACKGROUND

Since 1977, restorative proctocolectomy with ileoanal anastomosis (IAA) has evolved into the surgical treatment of choice for most patients with intractable ulcerative colitis. Construction of an ileal pouch reservoir is now standard, usually in the form of J pouch (IPAA). The aim of this report is to review selection criteria for, and functional outcomes, follow-up and management of complications of IPAA after 30 years of widespread clinical application.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Literature published in English on the clinical indications, surgical technique, morbidity, complications and outcome following IAA and IPAA was sourced by electronic search, performed independently by two reviewers who selected potentially relevant papers based on title and abstract. Additional articles were identified by cross-referencing from papers retrieved in the initial search.

CONCLUSION

The functional results of IPAA are good. Pouchitis, irritable pouch syndrome and cuffitis are specific long-term complications but rarely result in failure. Pouch salvage is possible in selected patients with poor functional outcomes. One-stage operations are increasingly performed.