Fate of the rectum after colectomy and ileostomy for Crohn's colitis

Quality of Life in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBDs) Patients after Surgery

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBDs) are chronic, relapsing and disabling diseases that affect the gastrointestinal tract. This relapsing course is often unpredictable with severe flares and the need for intensive medical treatment, hospitalization, or emergent/urgent surgery, all of which significantly impact patients' quality of life (QoL). QoL in IBD patients is significantly lower than in the general population, and depression and anxiety have been shown to have a higher prevalence than in healthy individuals, especially during disease flares. Complications requiring hospitalization and repeated surgeries are not uncommon during the disease course and significantly affect QoL in IBD patients. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) can be used to measure the impact of chronic disease on QoL from the patient's perspective. The use of PROMs in IBD patients undergoing surgery could help to investigate the impact of the surgical procedure on QoL and determine whether there is any improvement or worsening. This review summarizes the use of PROMs to assess QoL after various surgical procedures required for IBD treatment.

Diversion proctocolitis and the problem of the forgotten rectum in inflammatory bowel diseases: A systematic review

Background and aims

Diversion proctocolitis (DP) is a non‐specific mucosal inflammation arising in the defunctionalized colon and/or rectum following faecal diversion (colostomy, ileostomy). Differential diagnosis of DP from the underlying disease in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) is often unclear. As a result, it might be difficult to undertake any specific treatment. We aimed to systematically review the literature evidence on DP in IBD patients.

Methods

For this qualitative systematic review, we searched PubMed, EMBASE and Scopus to identify all studies published until July 2021 including IBD patients affected by DP.

Results

Overall, 37 papers published between 1982 and 2021 were included. A total of 1.211 IBD patients were included: 613 UC (50.6%), 524 CD (43.3%), 66 IBD‐unclassified (IBD‐U) (5.4%), 8 unspecified patients (0.7%). Most patients with DP are asymptomatic, although inflammation is detectable in almost all patients with a rectal stump. Reduced short‐chain fatty acids and an altered microbiome, may trigger mucosal inflammation and have been proposed as causing factors. An increased risk of developing cancer on DP has been reported in patients with a history of previous dysplasia/cancer.

Conclusions

The etiopathogenesis of DP is still unknown. The efficacy of mesalamine, corticosteroids or short‐chain fatty acids has not been proven by randomized trials yet. Since the incidence of cancer of the rectal stump can reach 4.5 per 1.000 diverted patients‐year, IBD patients undergoing subtotal colectomy with end‐ileostomy should undergo close endoscopic surveillance, being eventually counseled for surgery with or without the restoration of the intestinal continuity.

Ileorectal anastomosis in patients with Crohn's disease. Postoperative complications and functional outcome-a systematic review

AIM

The objective of this systematic review was to investigate the outcomes of ileorectal anastomosis (IRA) in Crohn's disease and to clarify whether there are any time-related trends in outcome measures. The primary outcomes are risk of anastomotic leakage, death, clinical recurrence and subsequent diverting or permanent stoma and/or proctectomy. Secondary end-points are quality of life and functional outcome.

METHODS

Systematic searches were conducted using the Cochrane Library, Embase and MEDLINE. The complete search strategy is uploaded online at http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/. Human studies in English with over five subjects were included and no limit was set regarding the date of publication. All relevant studies were screened by two reviewers. The web-based software platform www.covidence.org was used for primary screening of the title, abstract, full-text review and data extraction.

RESULTS

The search identified 2231 unique articles. After the screening process, 37 remained. Key results were an overall anastomotic leak rate of 6.4%; cumulative rates of clinical recurrence of 43% and 67% at 5 and 10 years, respectively; an overall rate of proctectomy of 18.9%; and subsequent ileostomy required in 18.8%. Only one study presented useful data on quality of life. Recurrence rates remained stable over time. A small decline in the anastomotic leak rate was found.

CONCLUSIONS

Only minor improvements in the outcomes of IRA in patients with Crohn´s disease have occurred during the past 50 years regarding anastomotic leakage and recurrence, except for a slight increase in the rate of a functioning IRA. These results call for implementation guidelines in patient selection for IRA and postoperative medical treatment and follow-up.

Inflammatory bowel disease position statement of the Italian Society of Colorectal Surgery (SICCR): Crohn's disease

The Italian Society of Colorectal Surgery (SICCR) promoted the project reported here, which consists of a position statement of Italian colorectal surgeons to address the surgical aspects of Crohn's disease management. Members of the society were invited to express their opinions on several items proposed by the writing committee, based on evidence available in the literature. The results are presented, focusing on relevant points. The present paper is not an alternative to available guidelines; rather, it offers a snapshot of the attitudes of SICCR surgeons about the surgical treatment of Crohn's disease. The committee was able to identify some points of major disagreement and suggested strategies to improve quality of available data and acceptance of guidelines.

Restoration of intestinal continuity after stoma formation for Crohn’s disease in the era of biological therapy

Background

The rate of restoration of intestinal continuity after colonic resection and stoma creation in patients with Crohn’s disease has not been well-documented in the era of biologics. Thus, the incidence of restoration of intestinal continuity since the introduction of biological drugs was assessed.

Methods

Consecutive patients (n = 43) who underwent colonic resection with ileostomy or colostomy formation for Crohn’s disease at a single tertiary referral center between 2002 and 2014 were identified. Data from individual chart review were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were personally contacted for follow-up.

Results

Of the 43 patients 8 (18.4%) had a proctectomy leaving 35 patients (81.4%) with the rectum preserved. Of the 30 patients qualifying for final analysis restoration of bowel continuity was finally achieved in 10 patients (33.3%). Permanent stoma rates were comparable in the group of patients with and without biological therapy after surgery (64.3% vs. 60%). The median follow-up period was 7 years (range 3–15 years). Of the patients 20 suffered from perianal disease involvement (66.7%), which was associated with a higher rate of permanent stoma (n = 16/20, 80%) in contrast to patients without perianal disease (n = 4/10, 40%, p = 0.045).

Conclusion

The overall incidence of stoma formation was low for patients with Crohn’s disease; however, once a stoma is created the chance of ending up with a permanent stoma is high even in the era of biologics. Despite the use of new therapeutic agents perianal disease increases the risk of a permanent stoma.

Reoperative Surgery in Complex Crohn's Disease

This article provides a structured approach to the technical aspects of reoperative surgery for Crohn's disease. Specific indications for surgery including repeat ileocolic resection, Crohn's complications of ileal pouch anal anastomosis and continent ileostomy, completion proctectomy, and the role of small bowel transplant will be discussed.

Role of Fecal Diversion in Complex Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract resulting in progressive tissue damage, which can result in strictures, fistulae, and abscesses formation. The triggering mechanism is thought to be in the fecal stream, and diversion of this fecal stream is sometimes required to control disease when all other avenues of medical and surgical management have been exhausted. Fecal diversion can be temporary or permanent with the indications being defunctioning a high-risk anastomosis, as a result of a surgical complication, for disease control, or due to severe colonic, rectal, or perianal disease. The incidence of ostomy formation in CD has increased epidemiologically over time. The primary indication for ostomy formation is severe perianal fistulizing disease. However, while 64% of patients have an early clinical response after diversion for refractory perianal CD, restoration of bowel continuity is attempted in only 35% of patients, and is successful in only 17%. The current review discusses the indications for ostomy creation in complex CD, strategies for procedure selection, and patient outcomes.

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.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: recurrence of Crohn's disease after total colectomy with permanent ileostomy

BACKGROUND

Subtotal or total colectomy or proctocolectomy with permanent ileostomy (TC-PI) may be a treatment option for medically refractory colonic Crohn's disease (CD).

AIM

To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the rate, risk factors and outcomes of CD recurrence after TC-PI.

METHODS

In a systematic review ending 31 March 2016, we identified 18 cohort studies (1438 adults) who underwent TC-PI for colonic CD (median follow-up, 7.4 years; interquartile range, 5.3-9.0). We estimated pooled rates [with 95% confidence interval (CI)] of clinical and surgical recurrence, and risk factors for disease recurrence.

RESULTS

On meta-analysis, the risk of clinical recurrence after TC-PI was 28.0% (95% CI, 21.7-35.3; 14 studies, 260/1004 patients), with a 5 and 10-year median cumulative rate of 23.5% (range, 7-35) and 40% (range, 11-60) respectively. The risk of surgical recurrence was 16.0% (95% CI, 11.1-22.7; 10 studies; 183/1092 patients), with a 5 and 10-year median cumulative rate of 10% (range, 3-29) and 18.5% (range, 14-34) respectively. The risk of clinical and surgical recurrence in patients without ileal disease at baseline was 11.5% (95% CI, 7.7-16.8) and 10.4% (95% CI, 4.5-22.5) respectively. History of ileal disease was associated with 3.2 times higher risk of disease recurrence (RR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.8-5.6). Other inconsistent risk factors for disease recurrence were penetrating disease and young age at disease onset.

CONCLUSIONS

Small bowel clinical recurrence occurs in about 28% of patients after total colectomy with permanent ileostomy for colonic Crohn's disease. Disease recurrence risk is 3.2 times higher in patients with history of ileal disease, and continued medical therapy may be advisable in this population. In patients without ileal inflammation at surgery, continued endoscopic surveillance may identify asymptomatic disease recurrence to guide therapy.

Long-term Outcomes of Sphincter-Saving Procedures for Diffuse Crohn's Disease of the Large Bowel

BACKGROUND

Total abdominal colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis for Crohn's colitis is acceptable in the presence of a suitable rectum. Intentional IPAA has been proposed for diffuse Crohn's proctocolitis without enteric or anoperineal disease.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of sphincter-saving procedures for large-bowel Crohn's disease.

DESIGN

Patients with preoperative Crohn's disease diagnosis undergoing intentional IPAA and ileorectal anastomosis were included.

SETTINGS

The study was conducted at a tertiary care research center.

PATIENTS

Ileorectal anastomosis was performed in 75 patients with Crohn's disease, whereas 32 patients underwent intentional IPAA.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Long-term functional results and permanent stoma requirement of sphincter-saving operations were assessed. Quality of life and postoperative medication use were also compared with a control group of patients undergoing total proctocolectomy and end ileostomy.

RESULTS

Patients undergoing ileorectal anastomosis were older and had longer disease duration, higher prevalence of perianal and penetrating disease, and history of small-bowel resection than those receiving IPAA. Indications for surgery, preoperative use of immunomodulators, and postoperative use of biologics were also significantly different. Although functional defecatory outcomes were comparable, reported quality of life 3 years after surgery was significantly better in patients who underwent IPAA than in patients with ileorectal anastomosis. Patients with IPAA were associated with significantly lower cumulative rates of surgical recurrence (HR = 0.28 (95% CI, 0.09-0.84); p = 0.017), indefinite stoma diversion (HR = 0.35 (95% CI, 0.13-0.99); p = 0.039), and proctectomy with end ileostomy (HR = 0.27 (95% CI, 0.07-0.96); p = 0.030) than those with ileorectal anastomosis.

LIMITATIONS

The study was limited by its retrospective nature and small sample size.

CONCLUSIONS

Contemporary patients selected to have intentional IPAA for Crohn's colitis have disease characteristics very different from those selected to have ileorectal anastomosis. Long-term follow-up confirms intentional IPAA as an acceptable option in selected patients with Crohn's colitis.

Risk of Neoplasia After Colectomy in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Colorectal neoplasia can still develop after colectomy for inflammatory bowel disease. However, data on this risk are scare, and there have been few conclusive findings, so no evidence-based recommendations have been made for postoperative surveillance. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the prevalence and incidence of and risk factors for neoplasia in patients with inflammatory bowel disease who have undergone colectomy, including the permanent-end ileostomy and rectal stump, ileorectal anastomosis (IRA), and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) procedures.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library through May 2014 to identify studies that reported prevalence or incidence of colorectal neoplasia after colectomy or specifically assessed risk factors for neoplasia development. Studies were selected, quality was assessed, and data were extracted by 2 independent researchers.

RESULTS

We calculated colorectal cancer (CRC) prevalence values from 13 studies of patients who underwent rectal stump surgery, 35 studies of IRA, and 33 studies of IPAA. Significantly higher proportions of patients in the rectal stump group (2.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3%-3.0%) and in the IRA group (2.4%; 95% CI, 1.7%-3.0%) developed CRC than in the IPAA group (0.5%; 95% CI, 0.3%-0.6%); the odds ratio (OR) for CRC in the rectal stump or IRA groups compared with the IPAA group was 6.4 (95% CI, 4.3-9.5). A history of CRC was the most important risk factor for development of CRC after colectomy (OR for patients receiving IRA, 12.8; 95% CI, 3.31-49.2 and OR for patients receiving IPAA, 15.0; 95% CI, 6.6-34.5).

CONCLUSIONS

In a meta-analysis of published studies, we found the prevalence and incidence of CRC after colectomy to be less than 3%; in patients receiving IPAA it was less than 1%. Factors that increased risk of cancer development after colectomy included the presence of a residual rectum and a history of CRC. These findings could aid in development of individualized strategies for post-surgery surveillance.

Surgery for luminal Crohn’s disease

Many patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) require surgery. Indications for surgery include failure of medical treatment, bowel obstruction, fistula or abscess formation. The most common surgical procedure is resection. In jejunoileal CD, strictureplasty is an accepted surgical technique that relieves the obstructive symptoms, while preserving intestinal length and avoiding the development of short bowel syndrome. However, the role of strictureplasty in duodenal and colonic diseases remains controversial. In extensive colitis, after total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis (IRA), the recurrence rates and functional outcomes are reasonable. For patients with extensive colitis and rectal involvement, total colectomy and end-ileostomy is safe and effective; however, a few patients can have subsequent IRA, and half of the patients will require proctectomy later. Proctocolectomy is associated with a high incidence of delayed perineal wound healing, but it carries a low recurrence rate. Patients undergoing proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis had poor functional outcomes and high failure rates. Laparoscopic surgery has been introduced as a minimal invasive procedure. Patients who undergo laparoscopic surgery have a more rapid recovery of bowel function and a shorter hospital stay. The morbidity also is lower, and the rate of disease recurrence is similar compared with open procedures.

Risk factors for rectal stump cancer in inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND

Patients with long-standing colitis carry an increased risk of colorectal cancer and are therefore enrolled in colonoscopic surveillance programs. It is presently not known if endoscopic surveillance of patients with colitis with a closed rectal stump after a subtotal colectomy is justified. Neither is it clear which of these patients might be at increased risk for rectal stump cancer.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to identify the risk factors for rectal stump cancer.

DESIGN

This investigation is a retrospective descriptive case-control study.

SETTINGS

This study was conducted at tertiary referral centers in the Netherlands.

PATIENTS

Colorectal cancer cases associated with inflammatory bowel disease diagnosed between 1990 and 2006 were selected in a nationwide pathology archive. Patients with rectal stump cancer were selected from this group. The pathology archive was also used to identify inflammatory bowel disease controls matched for referral center with a closed rectal stump after subtotal colectomy, but without neoplasia. Follow-up started at the date of subtotal colectomy with the formation of a rectal stump. Demographic and disease characteristics were collected at baseline.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated for factors associated with the development of rectal stump cancer with the use of univariate Cox regression analysis. End points were rectal stump cancer, end of follow-up, or death.

RESULTS

A total of 12 patients with rectal stump cancer and 18 matching controls without neoplasia were identified. Univariate analysis showed an association between rectal stump cancer and primary sclerosing cholangitis, and disease duration until subtotal colectomy.

LIMITATIONS

This study is limited by its retrospective design, and, despite being the largest series to date, it still has a limited number of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Risk factors for rectal stump cancer in a closed rectal stump after subtotal colectomy were primary sclerosing cholangitis and disease duration until subtotal colectomy.

Long-term outcome of colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis for Crohn's colitis

BACKGROUND

Ileorectal anastomosis is an important surgical option for patients with Crohn's colitis with relative rectal sparing.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to audit outcomes of ileorectal anastomosis for Crohn's and factors associated with proctectomy and reoperation.

DESIGN

This retrospective study involved a chart review and contacting patients.

SETTINGS

Patients with Crohn's colitis who had an ileorectal anastomosis were identified from the Mount Sinai Hospital Inflammatory Bowel Disease Database.

PATIENTS

Demographics, operative and perioperative outcomes, and reoperative data were collected.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Five- and 10-year Kaplan-Meier survival estimates and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for survival from proctectomy and Crohn's-related revisional surgery. Cox proportional hazards models were used to model the hazards of proctectomy and Crohn's-related revision on the clinical characteristics of patients.

RESULTS

Eighty-one patients had an ileorectal anastomosis for Crohn's disease from 1982 to 2010. The most common indications for surgery were failed medical management (60/81, 74.1%) and a stricture causing obstruction (14/81, 17.3%). Seventy-seven percent (n = 62) had a 1-stage procedure, whereas 23% (n = 19) had a 2-stage procedure (colectomy followed by ileorectal anastomosis). The overall anastomotic leak rate was 7.4% (n = 6). Fifty-six patients had a functioning ileorectal anastomosis at the time of follow-up. At 5 and 10 years, 87% (95% CI: 75.5-93.3) and 72.2% (95% CI: 55.8-83.4) of individuals had a functioning ileorectal anastomosis. Eighteen patients required proctectomy for poor symptom control, whereas 11 patients required a small-bowel resection plus redo-ileorectal anastomosis. The mean time to proctectomy from the original ileorectal anastomosis was 88.3 months (SD = 62.1). Smoking was associated with both proctectomy (HR 3.93 (95% CI: 1.46-10.55)) and reoperative surgery (HR 2.12 (95% CI: 0.96-4.72)).

LIMITATIONS

: This study was retrospective.

CONCLUSIONS

Ileorectal anastomosis is an appropriate operation for selected patients with Crohn's colitis with sparing of the rectum. However, patients must be counseled that the reoperation rate and/or proctectomy rate is approximately 30%.

Treatment of the anastomotic complications in patients with Crohn's disease

PURPOSE

Postoperative anastomotic complications in patients with Crohn's disease undergoing bowel resections have a detrimental influence on the long-term outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether patients' prognosis is affected by various treatment strategies of anastomotic complications.

METHODS

The term anastomosis-related "intraabdominal septic complication" (IASC) was used for anastomotic leaks, intraabdominal abscesses, anastomotic fistula, peritonitis. Only patients with these complications have been included in the study. Outcome parameters were "surgical recurrence" (i.e., need for repeat bowel resections) and "good surgical outcome" (i.e., no death, no surgical recurrence, no stoma, no enterocutaneous fistula). Patients in group 1 were treated by taking the affected anastomosis down and creating an end stoma. The anastomosis has been preserved in patients of group 2.

RESULTS

Between 1992 and Aug 2009, IASC occurred after 56 ileocolic resections for ileal disease and after 26 resections for Crohn's colitis. In patients with ileal disease, 5-year surgical recurrence rate was lower (0% vs. 65%, p = 0.0020) and a good surgical outcome was achieved more frequently at 2 years (100% vs. 25%, p = 0.0001) in group 1 than in group 2. There was no significant difference of long-term outcome between groups in patients with Crohn's colitis.

CONCLUSION

In patients suffering anastomotic complications after ileocolic resection for ileal Crohn's disease, the prognosis can be significantly improved by taking down the anastomosis and creating an end ileostomy. Anastomosis can be preserved without an outcome impairment in many patients with Crohn's colitis.

Screening for dysplasia and TP53 mutations in closed rectal stumps of patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn disease

BACKGROUND

Patients who undergo colectomy due to intractable chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may keep a closed rectal stump for several years, which may be at increased risk of malignant transformation owing to residual inflammatory activity. We examined a hospital series of patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn colitis to describe the clinical, endoscopical and histological features of the closed rectal stump and to screen for dysplasia and mutations in the TP53 tumour suppressor gene.

METHODS

During rigid proctoscopy, rectal mucosal biopsy specimens and rectal lavage fluid were collected from 42 patients. Biopsy specimens were examined histologically, and genomic DNA extracted from frozen biopsies and lavage fluid was analysed for mutations in TP53 exons 4-9.

RESULTS

The median disease duration was 8.5 years (range 1.3-34 years). No endoscopic or histological signs of dysplasia or carcinoma were seen and no mutations in the TP53 gene were detected in any biopsy or lavage fluid specimens. Histological moderate to severe mucosal inflammation was present in 78% (33/42) of the patients, however, and rectal stump involution was noted in 43% (18/42).

CONCLUSION

No signs of malignancy or premalignant degeneration were detected in this prospective series of IBD patients with a closed rectal stump. Although this is reassuring for patients, the presence of moderate to severe inflammation in the majority of rectal stumps indicates a role for adjuvant molecular markers to improve colorectal cancer surveillance on this subgroup of IBD patients.

Fate of the rectum in patients undergoing total colectomy for Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to analyse disease recurrence and fate of the rectum in patients who had a total colectomy for Crohn's disease.

METHODS

One hundred and forty-four patients who had a total colectomy for Crohn's colitis were reviewed retrospectively. Ileorectal anastomosis (IRA) was performed in 118 patients, while 26 never had an IRA after colectomy because of severe anorectal lesions. Factors associated with recurrence and rectal preservation failure were studied.

RESULTS

The probability of clinical recurrence after IRA was 58 and 83 per cent at 5 and 10 years respectively. The probability of rectal preservation at 5 and 10 years was 70 and 63 per cent after colectomy, and 86 and 86 per cent after IRA, respectively. Patients with extraintestinal manifestation had a higher risk of recurrence and of rectal preservation failure. Previous ileal involvement was associated with a higher rate of ileal recurrence after IRA. After IRA, prophylactic treatment with 5-aminosalicylic acid was associated with a lower rate of recurrence and of failure to preserve the rectum.

CONCLUSION

Overall, 63 per cent of patients had a functioning IRA 10 years after total colectomy. Absence of extraintestinal manifestation and prophylactic treatment with 5-aminosalicylates after IRA were the main factors associated with long-term rectal preservation.

Crohn's disease of the colon

The surgical treatment of Crohn's disease of the colon is distinct from that used in treating ulcerative colitis. Crohn's disease often involves the small bowel and is not "cured" by colorectal resection. The popular ileo-anal pouch procedures used in the management of ulcerative colitis generally are not used for the treatment of Crohn's colitis, because of higher complication rates. Commonly performed operations include ileostomy, segmental colon resection, subtotal colectomy, and proctocolectomy. The general surgeon, therefore, is provided with many options when faced with complications of Crohn's colitis. This article examines the attributes of and results reported for each of these options.

Is Hartmann's procedure safe in Crohn's disease? Report of three cases

INTRODUCTION

Crohn's disease-associated colorectal cancer may occur in an area of defunctioning bowel. Some patients with Crohn's colitis undergo subtotal colectomy, ileostomy, and low Hartmann's procedure in an effort to preserve the rectum. This procedure has also been advocated for patients with severe anorectal Crohn's disease, in whom nonhealing of the perineal wound after proctectomy occurs with alarming frequency. The authors present a review of the literature and three cases of cancer developing in the defunctioning rectal stump despite surveillance proctoscopy.

METHODS

Twenty-five patients underwent low Hartmann's procedure for severe anorectal Crohn's disease. Surveillance proctoscopy was performed as follow-up. Development of cancer in the rectal remnant or anus or recurrence of symptoms was managed by resection and adjuvant therapy.

RESULTS

One patient developed squamous-cell carcinoma of the anal canal, underwent resection and adjuvant therapy, and was disease free at the time of this study. Two patients developed adenocarcinoma of the rectum. Both underwent resection and adjuvant therapy. One patient died and the other developed a recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors recommend interval perineal proctectomy in all patients undergoing low Hartmann's procedure for severe anorectal Crohn's disease in whom rectal preservation is not possible. Regularly scheduled interim surveillance proctoscopy performed every two years, with biopsies of macroscopically normal-appearing and abnormal-appearing rectal mucosa and curetting of fistulous tracts, is also recommended to decrease the possibility of missing occult malignancies.

Long-term outcome of total colectomy and ileostomy for Crohn disease

BACKGROUND

This study was undertaken to review long-term results of total colectomy and end ileostomy for Crohn disease.

METHODS

Sixty-nine patients who underwent total colectomy and end ileostomy with an oversewn rectal stump for Crohn disease between 1962 and 1997 were reviewed. Postoperative complications, fate of the rectum or small-bowel recurrence, factors affecting complications and recurrence rates, and risk of rectal carcinoma are discussed.

RESULTS

Fourteen patients had an emergency colectomy. There were no operative or postoperative deaths. In all except five patients symptoms were rapidly relieved. The commonest postoperative complication was an intra-abdominal sepsis (12%). Only five patients (7%) underwent ileorectal anastomosis, of whom two required proctectomy later. Overall, 37 patients (54%) required proctectomy, with a median duration of 2 years. Sixteen patients (23%) developed small-bowel recurrence requiring surgery, with a median duration of 6.8 years. None of the following factors affected the proctectomy rate: sex, age at operation, duration of symptoms, smoking, perforating disease, coexisting small-bowel disease, preoperative proctitis, perianal disease, emergency operation, postoperative complications, or medical treatment. Youth was the only factor associated with a significantly higher reoperation rate for small-bowel recurrence. One patient developed an adenocarcinoma in a rectovaginal fistula, which was curatively resected at proctectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Total colectomy and end ileostomy is a safe and effective procedure. However, a few patients underwent ileorectal anastomosis, and half of the patients required proctectomy. The small-bowel recurrence rate is low. Regular surveillance of the retained rectum is advised because of a small cancer risk.

Total colectomy for Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND

Total colectomy for Crohn's disease of the colon may be restorative with ileorectal anastomosis or with an ileostomy and rectal stump. The present paper retrospectively audits the results of total colectomy and in particular assesses the number of patients who had a permanent ileostomy and whether this was related to disease in the rectum at the time of the original operation.

METHODS

A retrospective case note review was undertaken of patients operated upon between 1968 and 1994.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight patients were identified (mean age 35 years; range 17-65 years). One patient died perioperatively from an anastomotic leak. Median follow-up for the remaining patients was 7 years (range 1-29 years). Ileorectal anastomosis was performed in 17 patients and total colectomy and ileostomy in 20 patients. Indications for surgery were failure of medical treatment (61%); toxic colitis (18%); abscess (8%); perforation (5%); large bowel obstruction (5%); and colovesical fistula (3%). Subsequent proctectomy (14 patients, 38%) was more likely with subtotal colectomy and ileostomy (nine patients, 45%) than ileorectal anastomosis (five patients, 29%). This was not statistically significant (P = 0.33). Additionally, seven patients had diversion of the rectum making 21 with an ileostomy (57%). Rectal involvement at the time of the original procedure significantly increased the likelihood of permanent ileostomy (P = 0.001). The presence of anal disease did not increase the prospect of ileostomy. One patient died with advanced adeno carcinoma in a defunctioned rectum.

CONCLUSIONS

A permanent ileostomy after total colectomy for Crohn's disease is common and significantly more likely with rectal involvement.

Controversies in Crohn's disease

Despite recent advances in the medical therapy of Crohn's disease, surgery continues to play a central role in the treatment of the disease. The strategy for surgical management of Crohn's disease continues to evolve. This chapter reviews many of the controversies surrounding surgical palliation of complications of Crohn's disease. Included is a discussion of indications for strictureplasty in treatment of intractable intestinal obstruction. Factors influencing long-term outcome with sphincter-saving resection in the treatment of Crohn's colitis are reviewed. Experience with definitive treatment of anal Crohn's disease and repair of rectovaginal fistulas is examined. Finally, recent experience supporting ileocolic resection when acute Crohn's ileitis is identified during laparotomy for right lower quadrant pain is critically evaluated. These controversial aspects of the surgical treatment of Crohn's disease reflect an improved understanding of the natural history of the disease as well as refinement in surgical techniques and better definition of criteria for surgical intervention.

Total abdominal colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis for inflammatory bowel disease

PURPOSE

This retrospective study assesses the results of total colectomy and ileorectostomy for inflammatory bowel disease.

METHODS

Between January 1974 and December 1990, 90 patients underwent total colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis for chronic ulcerative colitis (n = 48) or Crohn's colitis (n = 42) at the Mayo Clinic. Patients' records were reviewed retrospectively. Long-term results were assessed by chart reviews and postal questionnaires. Conversion to a permanent ileostomy, with or without proctectomy, was considered a failure of the procedure. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate survivorship free of failure. The log-rank test was used to compare survivorship curves. Ninety-five percent confidence intervals were calculated at selected time points. P values < 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant.

RESULTS

The main indication for surgery was refractory chronic disease. There were no immediate postoperative deaths. The anastomotic leakage rate was 4.4 percent, and small-bowel obstruction occurred in 15.6 percent. At the time of follow-up (mean, 6.5 +/- 4.8 years), 46 patients (58.9 percent) had recurrence or exacerbation of the disease. This was the most common indication for subsequent proctectomy/permanent ileostomy in the follow-up period. There were 8 failures in 48 patients with ulcerative colitis (16.7 percent) and 11 failures in 42 patients with Crohn's disease (26.2 percent), although this difference was not statistically significant. Cumulative probability of having a functioning ileorectal anastomosis at five years was 84.2 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 71-95.9 percent) for ulcerative colitis and 73.8 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 58.6-88.6 percent) for Crohn's disease. In the latter group, females showed a significantly lower cumulative probability of having a functioning ileorectal anastomosis (females, 63.4 percent; males, 92.3 percent; P = 0.04). Crohn's patients 36 years of age or younger also showed a lower probability of success (patients < or = 36 years, 57 percent; patients > 36 years, 93.8 percent; P = 0.03). In the group with chronic ulcerative colitis, younger patients also seemed to require additional surgery more frequently; however, this difference was not statistically significant. Previous duration of symptoms, with mild or moderate disease in a distensible rectum, had no effect on results in either disease group. Functional results were acceptable in 63.6 and 87.5 percent of patients with Crohn's and ulcerative colitis, respectively. Eighty-four percent of ulcerative colitis patients and 91 percent of Crohn's disease patients reported an improvement in their quality of life, and overall, more than 90 percent considered their health status to be better than before surgery. One patient with ulcerative colitis developed carcinoma of the rectal stump 11.5 years after the colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis (cumulative probability of remaining free of cancer, 85.7 percent at 12 years; 95 percent confidence interval, 57.7-100 percent).

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate that, in selected patients with a relatively spared rectum and without severe perineal disease, total colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis still remains a viable option to total proctocolectomy with extensive Crohn's colitis. In addition, ileorectal anastomosis, as a sphincter-saving procedure, continues to have a place in the surgical treatment of chronic ulcerative colitis for high-risk or older patients who are not good candidates for ileal pouch-anal anastomosis, when the latter procedure cannot be done because of technical reasons and in the presence of advanced carcinoma concomitant with colitis, when life expectancy is limited.

Surgical therapy for Crohn's disease of the colon and rectum

Crohn's disease remains incurable by either medical or surgical treatment. Both physician and surgeon must work together with the common objective of restoring health by eliminating or alleviating the complications of Crohn's disease. From the surgeon's viewpoint, operation is performed for complications of the disease or for failure of medical management. Although aggressive surgical excision of affected bowel rids the patient of disease for a period of time, the beneficial effects of operation have to be considered in the context that disease recurrence is always a possibility and that reoperation for such complications may be necessary. The aim of the surgeon is to deal with the current problem as simply as possible and to maintain a long-term, strategic view of the disease process with the understanding that what is done today may affect the patient for life.

Experience with ileostomy and colostomy in Crohn's disease

This study involved 746 patients with Crohn's disease treated surgically within a 13-year interval in whom 227 stomas (159 primary, 68 secondary) were created. The main indication (64 per cent) for primary stoma was severe perianal or genital fistulous disease. Revisional surgery for stomal complications was more common following colostomy than ileostomy (31 versus 5 per cent, P < 0.01). Twenty years after the first symptoms of Crohn's disease the cumulative risks of receiving any stoma or a permanent stoma were 41 and 14 per cent respectively. Four parameters were shown by proportional hazards analysis to be independently associated with the risk for any stoma as well as a permanent one; increased risk coincided with rectal inflammation, perianal fistula or abscess, and absence of small intestinal involvement. In addition, long-standing symptomatic disease before the first surgical intervention reduced the risk of a permanent stoma. The long-term chances of closure following temporary stoma were 75 per cent when used for anastomotic protection or avoidance, 79 per cent after postoperative complications, and 40 per cent for perianal or genital fistulas or for rectal inflammation or stenosis. Rectal disease and perianal fistula were the only independent predictors of a low possibility of stoma closure during follow-up.

Subtotal colectomy with Hartmann's pouch for inflammatory bowel disease

PURPOSE

Fulminant or unremitting colitis caused by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is effectively managed by subtotal colectomy (STC) and standard ileostomy. However, controversy exists regarding the optimal management of the retained rectum. We reviewed our experience with intraperitoneal Hartmann's closure to determine whether this is an acceptable way to handle the rectal remnant.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed hospital and office records of 114 consecutive patients with IBD colitis who underwent STC with Hartmann's pouch since 1988. Patient demographic data, operative details, and postoperative complications were recorded. In patients who underwent subsequent surgery, technical difficulty and complications related to rectal dissection were documented.

RESULTS

There were three instances of pelvic sepsis secondary to leakage from the Hartmann's pouch, an overall incidence of 2.6 percent. Two of these patients required exploratory surgery. The third patient responded dramatically to antibiotics and transanal catheter decompression of the Hartmann's pouch. Subsequent to this experience, patients undergoing STC and Hartmann's closure for IBD colitis had transanal catheter drainage of the rectal remnant as a routine part of their postoperative care. There were no instances of leakage among the 41 patients who underwent rectal decompression. There were two reports (3 percent) of technical difficulty in locating or mobilizing the intraperitoneal rectal remnant at 60 subsequent surgical procedures.

CONCLUSION

Intraperitoneal Hartmann's closure of the rectum is the preferred management in patients with intractable IBD colitis requiring STC.

Colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis in patients with Crohn's disease

Eighty-three patients underwent colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis for Crohn's disease of the large bowel. There were two postoperative deaths and seven anastomotic leaks. Fifty-two patients retained a functioning anastomosis with a mean follow-up of 8 years. Forty had an excellent or good functional result. The cumulative proportion of patients with a functioning ileorectal anastomosis was 77 and 63 per cent at 5 and 10 years respectively. Patients presenting with perforating Crohn's disease had a significantly increased risk of failure of the anastomosis. Perianal Crohn's disease following ileorectal anastomosis was significantly related to the need to defunction or excise the rectum.