Abstract Background Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may require surgical resection, including subtotal colectomy, to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. However, there remains a risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) within the retained rectal stump. Although robust national and international guidelines exist for CRC surveillance in IBD patients with an intact colon, there is a significant gap in guidance for those with a retained rectal stump. We examined the current surveillance practices for the rectal stump in IBD patients, aiming to clarify current practice and optimise long-term surveillance strategies. Methods We performed a single centre, retrospective observational study. Patients with IBD undergoing surgical resection were identified using the local surgical IBD database, between January 2012 and September 2023. Cases without a rectal stump were excluded. Data was collected regarding age, sex, date of IBD diagnosis, date of surgery, frequency of surveillance, endoscopic appearance at surveillance, histology at surveillance and histological appearance at resection – this was used to assess initial risk. The British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) guidelines for surveillance frequency of IBD were used as a comparator. Results Of the 53 patients (median age = 52 (IQR = 32), 34% female, 66% male) included, 30.2% underwent surveillance following the BSG guidelines, according to their risk at formation of the rectal stump, determined by BSG guidelines. 39.6% of patients underwent surveillance but not in accordance with the BSG guidelines and 30.2% had no surveillance documented. 51.4% of patients had their risk reclassified at first surveillance, 48.6% had no change to their risk. No patients developed colorectal cancer on surveillance. 85% of patients underwent subtotal colectomy within 10 years of diagnosis. Conclusion Conclusion IBD patients with a retained rectal stump are susceptible to adjustment of their risk based on histological and endoscopic appearance at surveillance, when using risk at initial resection as a baseline. This implies close monitoring is required, to ensure any dysplasia or CRC is adequately identified. Surveillance was inconsistent, and many patients had no surveillance documented. This study highlights the need for surveillance guidelines for patients with IBD with a retained rectal stump. The BSG guidelines suggest a screening colonoscopy 10 years post-diagnosis, yet most patients underwent initial resection before this could take place. This raises the question whether patients should undergo surveillance 10-years post-resection, or if this would be required earlier, dependant on risk following resection. The answer to this requires further research, to ensure uniformity in practice.
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