Minimally Invasive Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis with Rectal Eversion Allows for Equivalent Outcomes in Continence in Pediatric Patients

Surgery for ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) has a more severe presentation and rapid progression in pediatric patients, resulting in a greater need for surgical intervention compared to adults. Though medical management of UC has advanced with new biologic therapies, surgery continues to play an important role when disease progresses in the form of worsened or persistent symptoms, hemodynamic instability, or sepsis. The goals of surgical management are to restore intestinal continuity with a functional pouch when possible. While the literature has been growing regarding studies of pediatric patients with UC, high level of evidence studies are limited and most recommendations are based on adult studies. Similar to adults, pediatric patients who have ileal pouches created require surveillance for recurrent disease and cancer surveillance. Unique issues for pediatric patients include monitoring of growth and appropriate transition to adult care after adolescence. This review includes indications for surgical management, overview of staged surgical approaches, and the technical details of the three-stage approach.

Surgical Management of Ulcerative Colitis in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review from the APSA Outcomes and Evidence-Based Practice Committee

INTRODUCTION

The incidence of ulcerative colitis (UC) is increasing. Roughly 20% of all patients with UC are diagnosed in childhood, and children typically present with more severe disease. Approximately 40% will undergo total colectomy within ten years of diagnosis. The objective of this study is to assess the available evidence regarding the surgical management of pediatric UC as determined by the consensus agreement of the American Pediatric Surgical Association Outcomes and Evidence-Based Practice Committee (APSA OEBP).

METHODS

Through an iterative process, the membership of the APSA OEBP developed five a priori questions focused on surgical decision-making for children with UC. Questions focused on surgical timing, reconstruction, use of minimally invasive techniques, need for diversion, and risks to fertility and sexual function. A systematic review was conducted, and articles were selected for review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Risk of Bias was assessed using Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) criteria. The Oxford Levels of Evidence and Grades of Recommendation were utilized.

RESULTS

A total of 69 studies were included for analysis. Most manuscripts contain level 3 or 4 evidence from single-center retrospective reports, leading to a grade D recommendation. MINORS assessment revealed a high risk of bias in most studies. J-pouch reconstruction may result in fewer daily stools than straight ileoanal anastomosis. There are no differences in complications based on the type of reconstruction. The timing of surgery should be individualized to patients and does not affect complications. Immunosuppressants do not appear to increase surgical site infection rates. Laparoscopic approaches result in longer operative times but shorter lengths of stay and fewer small bowel obstructions. Overall, complications are not different using an open or minimally invasive approach.

CONCLUSIONS

There is currently low-level evidence related to certain aspects of surgical management for UC, including timing, reconstruction type, use of minimally invasive techniques, need for diversion, and risks to fertility and sexual function. Multicenter, prospective studies are recommended to better answer these questions and ensure the best evidence-based care for our patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level of evidence III.

STUDY TYPE

Systematic review.

Postoperative complications of colectomy and J-pouch with ileostomy versus without ileostomy in children with inflammatory bowel diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

The efficacy of performing a restorative proctocolectomy and J-pouch ileoanal anastomosis without diverting ileostomy in children with inflammatory bowel disease has been a longstanding debate. A systematic review and meta-analysis is presented comparing the occurrence of postoperative complications in children who underwent either the pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) with ileostomy (diverted) versus the undiverted procedure.

Methods

Records were sourced from CINAHL, CENTRAL, EMBASE and MEDLINE databases. Studies followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and compared postoperative complications in pediatric patients diagnosed with inflammatory diseases aged less than 18 years who underwent J-pouch with ileostomy versus without ileostomy. The primary outcome was the occurrence of postoperative leaks, and the secondary outcomes were presence of postoperative small bowel obstruction (SBO), pouchitis, stricture and fistula complications. A random-effects meta-analysis was used.

Results

Twenty-three observational studies in the systematic review were included with 658 patients (83% diverted, 17% undiverted). Pooled estimates showed no difference in occurrence of leaks in children who underwent J-pouch/IPAA with ileostomy versus without (odds ratio (OR) 0.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.17 to 1.64, I2=16%). There was no difference in the occurrence of SBO, pouchitis or strictures in children who underwent J-pouch/IPAA with ileostomy versus without (SBO: OR 2.27, 95% CI 0.52 to 9.92, I2=0%, pouchitis: OR 1.76, 95% CI 0.95 to 3.24, I2=0%, strictures: OR 2.72, 95% CI 0.44 to 16.69, I2=66%).

Conclusion

The meta-analysis did not find differences in the occurrence of complications in pediatric patients who underwent the IPAA with ileostomy procedure versus without ileostomy.

Acute histologic inflammatory activity and postoperative outcomes in pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to determine whether acute histologic inflammatory activity at the rectal margin predicts postoperative complications in children with ulcerative colitis following ileal pouch-anal anastomoses (IPAA).

METHODS

Patients who underwent IPAA following previous total abdominal colectomy for ulcerative colitis between 2006 and 2014 were included. Data collected included demographics, operative and postoperative data, histologic grading of the rectal margin at time of IPAA, and stooling outcomes at one, six and 12 months following ileostomy closure.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients were included. Acute inflammation scores ranged between 2 and 13. Unadjusted and adjusted models showed no statistically significant relationship between inflammation and presence of any postoperative complications, number of daily stools, nighttime stooling, soiling, or stool-altering medication usage.

CONCLUSION

Acute histologic inflammatory activity at the rectal margin is not associated with increased rates of postoperative complications following IPAA creation in children, nor with poorer continence outcomes following ileostomy closure.

Complications after proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis in pediatric patients: A systematic review

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Colectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the standard of care for patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and refractory ulcerative colitis (UC). The rates of postoperative complications are not well established in children. The objective of this systematic review is to establish benchmark data for morbidity after pediatric IPAA.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, and The Cochrane Library were searched for studies of colectomy with IPAA in patients ≤21 years old. UC studies were limited to the anti-tumor necrosis factor-α agents era (1998-present). All postoperative complications were extracted.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria (763 patients). Compared to patients with FAP, UC patients had a higher prevalence of pouch loss (10.6% vs. 1.5%). Other major complications such as anastomotic leak, abscess, and fistula were uncommon (mean prevalence 4.9%, 4.2%, and 5.0%, respectively, for patients with UC; 8.7%, 4.2%, and 4.3% for FAP). The most frequent complication was pouchitis (36.4% of UC patients).

CONCLUSIONS

Devastating complications from colectomy and IPAA are rare, but patients with UC have poorer outcomes than those with FAP. Much of the morbidity may therefore stem from patient or disease factors. Multicenter, prospective studies are needed to identify modifiable risks in patients with UC undergoing IPAA.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic, level II.

Complications in children with ulcerative colitis undergoing ileal pouch-anal anastomosis

Total colectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is considered the standard procedure for the surgical management of ulcerative colitis. Despite the widespread utility of the procedure, as many as 75% of patients who undergo IPAA, experience at least 1 complication. This review highlights difficult intraoperative scenarios and complications of pouch surgery in children, including intraoperative, postoperative, and functional complications. Intraoperative scenarios include insufficient mesenteric length and positive leak tests. Postoperative complications include surgical site infection, anastomotic leak, stricture, fistula, pouchitis, small bowel obstruction, and pouch failure. Less common complications include afferent limb syndrome, pouch prolapse, and superior mesenteric artery syndrome. Functional complications include incontinence, impaired quality of life, infertility, and sexual dysfunction. Despite complications, most patients are satisfied with their outcomes and report an improvement in their lifestyle.