Prospective evaluation of ileoanal pouch characteristics measured by barostat

Incidence and causes of failure in various anatomical pouch designs 20 years after surgical primary ileal-pouch anal anastomosis construction

PURPOSE

Since the introduction of ileo-pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) surgery, various pouch designs have been applied. Recently, there has been renewed interest in creating larger pouch designs to reduce defecation frequency after pouch surgery. The aim of this study was to assess chronic pouch failure (PF) rates and causes in alternative S or septated (SP) pouches when compared to J pouches and B- shaped adaptations.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included patients that underwent primary IPAA construction surgery from 1978-2000. Pouch designs were subdivided in J and B (J/B), and larger pouches (S/SP). PF included need for a pouch excision, redo pouch procedure, revisional pouch surgery, or permanent ileostomy surgery. Outcomes of this study were incidence and causes for PF per pouch design group.

RESULTS

Out of 200 patients who underwent IPAA surgery, 19 had an S/SP design and 181 had a J/B design. After a follow-up of 27.0 (IQR 23.3 - 29.0) years, 45/200 (22.5%) patients who underwent IPAA surgery between 1975-2000 developed PF. Some 78.9% of patients with an S/SP pouch developed PF, compared to 16.7% of patients with a J/B pouch (p < 0.01). Mechanical outlet issues occurred more often in S/SP pouches when compared to J/B (42.1% vs. 1.1%, p < 0.01), and were predominantly caused by septal- or pouch wall intussusception and efferent loop kinking (S-pouch).

CONCLUSION

Despite an inevitable proportion of bias, the current study revealed that S/SP pouches were characterized by an increased PF incidence due to emptying problems after long-term follow-up when compared to J/B pouches. Constructing an S pouch or large septated reservoir at index surgery should therefore be questioned because of a shorter longevity.

Evaluating pouch problems

IPAA is a technically demanding procedure that requires appropriate skills and expertise. Adverse sequelae of IPAA are common. Accurate diagnosis and classification of pouch disorders and associated complications are important for proper management and prognosis. Based on presenting symptoms, appropriate and combined diagnostic modalities should apply. A multidisciplinary approach involving gastroenterologists, colorectal surgeons, gastrointestinal pathologists, and gastrointestinal radiologists is advocated for diagnosis and treatment of pouch disorders.

Irritable pouch syndrome is characterized by visceral hypersensitivity

BACKGROUND

Irritable pouch syndrome (IPS) is a functional disorder in patients with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA), which presents with symptoms in the absence of structural abnormalities of the pouch. Thus, it resembles other functional disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome characterized by visceral hypersensitivity in the presence of normal rectal biomechanics. The aim was to assess pouch biomechanics and perception of balloon distension in different groups of subjects with IPAA and to correlate the findings with clinical features.

METHODS

Pouch tone, compliance, and sensation to balloon distension were measured in 18 patients with IPS, 11 patients with active pouch inflammation (pouchitis or Crohn's disease of the pouch), and 12 asymptomatic subjects with normal pouches. All patients were recruited from a subspecialty Pouchitis Clinic.

RESULTS

Scores of sensation of gas, urge to defecate, and pain measured by visual analog scales at various distension pressures were significantly higher in IPS than pouchitis and normal pouch patients. Pouch tone was comparable among the groups and compliance was reduced in the pouchitis group. The visual analog scale showed a trend of correlation with the Pouchitis Disease Activity Index symptom scores in IPS.

CONCLUSIONS

IPS, like other gut functional disorders, is characterized by visceral hypersensitivity, with normal pouch biomechanics.

Stapled haemorrhoidopexy transiently decreases rectal compliance and sensitivity

AIM

Stapled haemorrhoidopexy may damage the anorectal musculature and its sensorimotor function. Most studies have not used a barostat for the measurement of compliance. This study aimed to investigate the effect of stapled haemorrhoidopexy on rectal compliance and sensitivity.

METHOD

After Ethical Committee approval, we studied 10 male patients (mean age 33.8 years) with third- or fourth-degree haemorrhoids. Rectal compliance and sensitivity were measured with a 600-ml bag and an electronic barostat. Volunteers were submitted to two consecutive rectal distension protocols, including continuous distension at 2, 4 and 6 months after stapled haemorrhoidopexy. Intraluminal volume and pressure were recorded, including the first rectal sensation, desire to defecate and onset of rectal pain. Another group of 10 male control patients (mean age 24.9 years) with pilonidal sinus and no haemorrhoids was also included in the study.

RESULTS

Two months after stapled haemorrhoidopexy, rectal compliance decreased (7.1 ± 0.2 vs 5.3 ± 0.1, 6.4 ± 0.1 vs 5.1 ± 0.1 and 5.6 ± 0.2 vs 4.7 ± 0.1 ml/mmHg for first rectal sensation, desire to defecate and rectal pain, respectively; P < 0.05). The sensitivity threshold volume did not change for the first sensation but decreased significantly for the desier to defecate and pain (p <0.05) (116.8 ± 13.8 vs 148.4 ± 14.61, 251.1 ± 8.9 vs 185.8 ± 8.6 and 293.3 ± 16.6 vs 221.2 ± 6.0 ml for first rectal sensation, desire to defecate and rectal pain, respectively). Four and 6 months after surgery, rectal compliance and sensitivity returned to levels similar to those in the basal period. Muscle tissue was found in only three of the 10 resected doughnuts. Controls remained without any change in rectal compliance and sensitivity.

CONCLUSION

Stapled haemorrhoidopexy transiently decreases rectal compliance and sensitivity threshold in young male patients.

The role of pouch compliance measurement in the management of pouch dysfunction

PURPOSE

Ileal pouch anal anastomosis is an established option for patients who require total proctocolectomy and restoration of bowel continuity. However, the functional results are not always good and low pouch compliance has been suggested as one possible cause. We aimed to review the results of pouch compliance tests over 11 years to assess whether measuring pouch compliance is a useful diagnostic tool to guide management of pouch dysfunction.

METHODS

The results of pouch compliance tests performed between 1996 and 2007 together with the details of symptoms, treatments and outcome were reviewed.

RESULTS

One hundred and forty-one pouch compliance tests were performed. There was no difference in pouch compliance between those with overt pathology (pouchitis, pelvic sepsis or anastomotic stricture) and those with idiopathic pouch dysfunction. In this second group, there was no difference in pouch compliance between patients with and without each of the symptoms of increased defaecatory frequency, incontinence and evacuation difficulties. The results of the compliance testing did not influence the clinical decision making on idiopathic pouch dysfunction (p=0.77) nor diverted pouches (p=0.07).

CONCLUSIONS

Measuring pouch compliance does not offer new information accounting for idiopathic pouch dysfunction and has little influence on the clinical management.

Diagnosis and treatment of ileal pouch diseases in patients with underlying ulcerative colitis

Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) after total proctocolectomy is the surgical treatment of choice for ulcerative colitis (UC) patients with medically refractory disease or dysplasia. IPAA significantly improves quality of life in UC patients who require surgery. However, certain inflammatory and noninflammatory diseases can develop after the surgery, including pouchitis, Crohn's disease (CD) of the pouch, cuffitis, and irritable pouch syndrome. The cause and pathogenesis of these disease conditions of IPAA are largely unknown. Accurate diagnosis and classification are important for appropriate management.

Clinical approach to diseases of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis

Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the surgical treatment of choice for ulcerative colitis (UC) patients with medically refractory disease or dysplasia. IPAA significantly improves quality of life in UC patients who require surgery. However, certain inflammatory and noninflammatory diseases can develop after the surgery, including pouchitis, Crohn's disease of the pouch, cuffitis, and irritable pouch syndrome. The etiology and pathogenesis of these disease conditions of IPAA are largely unknown. Accurate diagnosis and classification are important for appropriate management. Endoscopic evaluation is the most important tool for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis.