Experience, complications and prognostic factors of the ileoanal pouch in ulcerative colitis: An observational study

Ileoanal Pouch-Related Fistulas: A Narrative Review

Ileoanal pouch-related fistula (IAPRF) is a possible complication after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis that significantly impacts pouch prognosis and the patient's quality of life. This study aimed to perform a comprehensive narrative review to better classify the epidemiology, risk factors, etiology, management, and outcomes of IAPRF, and to propose an algorithm for its systematic classification. Ten studies comprising 664 patients with IAPRF were identified, with a prevalence ranging from 4% to 45%. The reported fistula types were as follows: pouch-vaginal (n = 236, 35.5%), perineal (n = 139, 21%), enterocutaneous (n = 54, 8%), pouch-anal (n = 53, 8%), presacral (n = 18, 2%), and anastomotic (n = 15, 2%). Postsurgical pelvic sepsis occurred in 21%-37.2% of patients. Twenty additional studies regarding fistula classification divided them according to onset time and etiology, defining 5 categories: anastomotic-related, technical aspects of the surgery, Crohn's disease-like pouch inflammation, cryptoglandular, and malignancy. Pouch excision was reported in up to 70% of patients. Fistulas associated with anastomotic complications, technical surgical issues, and cryptoglandular fistulas warrant surgical management. On the other hand, fistulas associated with inflammation are preferentially managed with biologics or small molecules.

Creation of an institutional preoperative checklist to support clinical risk assessment in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) considering ileoanal pouch surgery

Background

Total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the most established restorative operative approach for patients with ulcerative colitis. It has associated morbidity and the potential for major repercussions on quality of life. As such, patient selection is crucial to its success. The main aim of this paper is to present an institutional preoperative checklist to support clinical risk assessment and patient selection in those considering IPAA.

Methods

A literature review was performed to identify the risk factors associated with surgical complications, decreased functional outcomes/quality of life, and pouch failure after IPAA. Based on this, a preliminary checklist was devised and modified through an iterative process. This was then evaluated by a consensus group comprising the pouch multidisciplinary team (MDT) core members.

Results

The final preoperative checklist includes assessment for risk factors such as gender, advanced age, obesity, comorbidities, sphincteric impairment, Crohn's disease and pelvic radiation therapy. In addition, essential steps in the decision-making process, such as pouch nurse counselling and discussion regarding surgical alternatives, are also included. The last step of the checklist is discussion at a dedicated pouch-MDT.

Discussion

A preoperative checklist may support clinicians with the selection of patients that are suitable for pouch surgery. It also serves as a useful tool to inform the discussion of cases at the MDT meeting.

Patient-reported Outcome Measures in Ileoanal Pouch Surgery: a Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

To summarise frequency, type, and heterogeneity of patient-reported outcomes measures [PROMs] in papers reporting on outcomes after ileal pouch anal anastomosis [IPAA].

BACKGROUND

Prevalence of ulcerative colitis [UC] has risen in Western countries, and one in three patients requires surgery. IPAA is a frequently performed procedure for UC, and a lack of standardisation is manifest in reporting outcomes for inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] despite the clear need for inclusion of PROMs as primary outcomes in IBD trials.

METHODS

Scopus, Pubmed, and Web of Science databases were searched from January 2010 to January 2023 for studies investigating outcomes in IPAA surgery. The primary outcome was the proportion of studies reporting outcomes for IPAA surgery for UC, which included PROMs.

RESULTS

The search identified a total of 8028 studies which, after de-duplication and exclusion, were reduced to 79 articles assessing outcomes after IPAA surgery. In all 44 [55.7%] reported PROMs, with 23 including validated questionnaires and 21 papers using authors' questions, 22 different PROMs were identified, with bowel function as the most investigated item. The majority of studies [67/79, 85%] were retrospective, only 14/79 [18%] were prospective papers and only two were [2.5%] randomised, controlled trials.

CONCLUSIONS

Only half of the papers reviewed used PROMs. The main reported item is bowel function and urogenital, social, and psychological functions are the most neglected. There is lack of standardisation for use of PROMs in IPAA. Complexity of UC and of outcomes after IPAA demands a change in clinical practice and follow-up, given how crucial PROMs are, compared with their non-routine use.

Care burden and outcome of the surgical management of ulcerative colitis: A retrospective analysis of the last 20 years in a tertiary hospital in Spain

AIM

To analyze the surgical burden of UC care in the last two decades, analyzing the characteristics of the patients, surgical indications along with the short and long-term results.

METHOD

Single-center retrospective cohort analysis of UC patients undergoing abdominal and anorectal surgery between January 2000 and December 2020. The care burden, clinical data and results were analyzed according to distribution by decades.

RESULTS

128 patients, 37% female, underwent 376 surgical interventions (296 intestinal procedures and 80 anorectal). Mean follow-up for the cohort was 106±64 months. Timing from diagnosis to first surgery was under 5 years in 53.3%. In the second decade of the study there were fewer operated patients (73 vs. 48) as well as the total number of interventions per patient (2.7 vs. 2.0). The proportion between elective and urgent surgery was reversed in the second decade, observing an increase in laparoscopic surgery (70% vs. 8%) together with a decrease in major postoperative morbidity (Clavien-Dindo≥IIIa) (20% vs 8.4%). 80 patients underwent a restorative proctocolectomy, with a failure of 5% at 1 year but 23.7% in the long term. 37 patients required anorectal surgery, of which 26 (71%) were serial interventions, most due to septic complications of the pouches.

CONCLUSIONS

The number of colectomies and interventions per patient decreased in the last decade, while there were improvements in morbidity and surgical approach. The need for sequential surgeries and long-term active instrumental surveillance for possible functional deterioration constitutes a significant clinical burden.

A contemporary series of surgical outcomes following subtotal colectomy and/or completion proctectomy for management of inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND

The main indications for emergency subtotal colectomy (SC) include management of toxic colitis, refractory haemorrhage and/or perforation. Alternatively, elective surgery is performed for those refractory to medical therapy or with evidence of multifocal dysplasia. Overall, the annual incidence of SC has fallen since the introduction of biologic therapies and we aimed to review our current practices.

METHODS

A retrospective review of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients undergoing subtotal colectomy between 2013 and 2020 was performed. Medical records, operative notes, discharge summaries, histopathology reports and other supporting documents were reviewed. Indication for surgery, management of the rectum (i.e. maintenance of rectal stump, progression to completion proctectomy or IPAA formation) associated morbidity (Clavien-Dindo classification) and length of hospital stay were examined.

RESULTS

Fifty-six IBD patients underwent a subtotal colectomy. Twenty-five patients (UC 14, Crohn's 11) had an elective procedure, and 31 patients (UC 19 Crohn's 12) had an emergency/semi-urgent procedure. Interestingly, 80% (n = 25) of the emergency cohort and 68% (n = 17) of the elective cohort had a laparoscopic resection. Major morbidity (Clavien-Dindo > 2) was higher among the emergency group (39% vs. 24%). Deep surgical site infection was the commonest morbidity (13%) in the emergency group, while superficial surgical site infection was commonest in the elective cohort (20%). Overall, there was no difference in surgical re-intervention rate (13% vs 12%), and there were no perioperative mortalities. Median post-operative length of stay was shorter in the elective cohort (9 versus 13 days).

CONCLUSION

A significant proportion of IBD patients still require semi-urgent/emergency colectomy, which is associated with considerable length of stay and morbidity. The results of our study provide real-world outcomes to help counsel patients on expected outcomes.

Care burden and outcome of the surgical management of ulcerative colitis: A retrospective analysis of the last 20 years in a tertiary hospital in Spain

AIM

To analyze the surgical burden of UC care in the last two decades, analyzing the characteristics of the patients, surgical indications along with the short and long-term results.

METHOD

Single-center retrospective cohort analysis of UC patients undergoing abdominal and anorectal surgery between January 2000 and December 2020. The care burden, clinical data and results were analyzed according to distribution by decades.

RESULTS

128 patients, 37% female, underwent 376 surgical interventions (296 intestinal procedures and 80 anorectal). Mean follow-up for the cohort was 106±64 months. Timing from diagnosis to first surgery was under 5 years in 53.3%. In the second decade of the study there were fewer operated patients (73 vs. 48) as well as the total number of interventions per patient (2.7 vs. 2.0). The proportion between elective and urgent surgery was reversed in the second decade, observing an increase in laparoscopic surgery (70% vs. 8%) together with a decrease in major postoperative morbidity (Clavien-Dindo≥IIIa) (20% vs 8.4%). 80 patients underwent a restorative proctocolectomy, with a failure of 5% at 1 year but 23.7% in the long term. 37 patients required anorectal surgery, of which 26 (71%) were serial interventions, most due to septic complications of the pouches.

CONCLUSIONS

The number of colectomies and interventions per patient decreased in the last decade, while there were improvements in morbidity and surgical approach. The need for sequential surgeries and long-term active instrumental surveillance for possible functional deterioration constitutes a significant clinical burden.

Ileal Pouch-anal Anastomosis Complications and Pouch Failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

This systematic review aims to assess the incidence of pouch failure and the correlation between ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA)-related complications and pouch failure.

Background

Previous studies demonstrated wide variation in postoperative complication rates following IPAA.

Methods

A systematic review was performed by searching the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases for studies reporting on pouch failure published from January 1, 2010, to May 6, 2020. A meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model, and the relationship between pouch-related complications and pouch failure was assessed using Spearman's correlations.

Results

Thirty studies comprising 22,978 patients were included. Included studies contained heterogenic patient populations, different procedural stages, varying definitions for IPAA-related complications, and different follow-up periods. The pooled pouch failure rate was 7.7% (95% confidence intervals: 5.56-10.59) and 10.3% (95% confidence intervals: 7.24-14.30) for studies with a median follow-up of ≥5 and ≥10 years, respectively. Observed IPAA-related complications were anastomotic leakage (1-17%), pelvic sepsis (2-18%), fistula (1-30%), stricture (1-34%), pouchitis (11-61%), and Crohn's disease of the pouch (0-18%). Pelvic sepsis (r = 0.51, P < 0.05) and fistula (r = 0.63, P < 0.01) were correlated with pouch failure. A sensitivity analysis including studies with a median follow-up of ≥5 years indicated that only fistula was significantly correlated with pouch failure (r = 0.77, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

The single long-term determinant of pouch failure was pouch fistula, which is a manifestation of a chronic leak. Therefore, all effort should be taken to prevent an acute leak from becoming a chronic leak by early diagnosis and proactive management of the leak.

Mini abstract

This systematic review aims to assess the incidence of pouch failure and the correlation between IPAA-related complications and pouch failure. Long-term pouch failure was correlated with fistula, suggesting that early septic complications may result in fistula formation during long-term follow-up, leading to an increased risk of pouch failure.