Pouch Failures Research Articles

Outcome of incidental versus preoperatively diagnosed colorectal cancer during total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for inflammatory bowel disease.

Total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the treatment of choice for colorectal cancer (CRC) in inflammatory bowel disease. CRC may also be discovered incidentally at IPAA for other indications. We sought to determine whether incidentally found CRC at IPAA was associated with worse outcomes. Our institutional pouch registry (1983-2021) was retrospectively reviewed. Patients with CRC at pathology after IPAA were divided into two groups: a preoperative diagnosis (PreD) group and an incidental diagnosis (InD) group. Their long-term outcomes (overall survival, disease-free survival and pouch survival) were compared. We included 164 patients: 53 (32%) InD and 111 (68%) PreD. There were no differences in cancer staging, differentiation and location. After a median follow-up of 11 (IQR 3-25) years for InD and 9 (IQR 3-20) years for the PreD group, deaths were 14 (26%) in the InD group and 18 (16%) in the PreD group. Pouch failures were five (9%) in the InD group and nine (8%) in the PreD group, of which two (5%) and four (4%) were cancer related. Ten-year overall survival was 94% for InD and 89% for PreD (P = 0.41), disease-free survival was 95% for InD and 90% for PreD (P = 0.685) and pouch survival was 89% for InD and 97% for PreD (P = 0.80). Pouch survival at 10 years was lower in rectal versus colon cancer (87% vs. 97%, P = 0.01). No difference was found in outcomes in handsewn versus stapled anastomoses. Inflammatory bowel disease patients with incidentally found CRC during IPAA appear to have similarly excellent oncological and pouch outcomes to patients with a preoperative cancer diagnosis.

DEFINING LONG-TERM QUALITY OF LIFE AND FUNCTIONAL OUTCOMES AFTER REDO ILEAL POUCH ANAL ANASTOMOSIS: WHAT SHOULD PATIENTS AND PROVIDERS EXPECT?

Abstract BACKGROUND Pouch failure after restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) occurs in up to 15% of cases. A redo pouch procedure can be offered to maintain intestinal continuity after pouch failure, but little is known on quality of life (QoL) after redo pouch. We aimed to describe long-term QoL and functional outcomes after redo pouch. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed our prospectively collected redo pouch registry, and identified patients who had completed at least one Cleveland Global Quality of Life (CGQL) questionnaire after redo pouch. Figures are number (proportion) or median (interquartile range). RESULTS Out of 532 patients, CGQL were available for 375 (70%): 212 (57%) females, median age at redo pouch 40 (28 – 48) years. Diagnosis at index pouch was ulcerative colitis in 325 (87%) cases, indeterminate colitis in 13 (3%), Crohn’s disease in 15 (4%), familial adenomatous polyposis in 21 (6%). The median interval between index and redo pouch was 4 (2 – 6) years. The indication for redo pouch was sepsis in 230 (61%) cases, mechanical in 114 (31%), functional in 19 (5%), and dysplasia or cancer in 11 (3%). The anastomosis was handsewn in 72% cases. After redo pouch, 351 (95%) had their stoma closed, while 18 (5%) never had stoma closure due to complications, and 5 (1%) due to patient preference. The median interval between redo pouch and latest CGQL was 4 (1 – 9) years. The overall CGQL score (0 – 1) was 0.7 (0.5 – 0.8), with median quality of life 7 (5 – 9), quality of health 7 (5 – 8) and quality of energy 6.5 (5 – 8). There were no differences in CGQL scores in patients who had a redo pouch due to septic complications versus other indications. The median number of bowel movements was 6 (5 – 8) during the daytime, 2 (1 – 3) during the nighttime, for a total of 8 (6 – 10) bowel movements per 24 hours. Dietary restrictions were reported by 50% patients, social restrictions by 34%, work restrictions by 38%, and sexual restrictions by 37% (Figure 1). Urgency occurring daily or most days was reported by 24% patients, incontinence by 10%. Consistency of stool was reported as liquid by 76% of patients. Seepage during the day was experience by 52% of patients, nocturnally in 68%, with 53% of patients reporting daytime pad use, and 61% at night. Median happiness with surgery was 8 (5 – 10): 80% patients would undergo surgery again, and 84% patients would recommend it to other people. During follow-up, 84 (22.5%) pouch failures occurred. CONCLUSION A redo pouch procedure allows a majority of patients to maintain intestinal continuity with good quality of life. Most patients would undergo redo pouch again and recommend it to others. Before redo pouch, patients need to be counselled regarding function expectations in regards to stool frequency and consistency, urgency, incontinence, seepage, and overall success rates.

TU2.13 Laparoscopic/robotic restorative proctectomy in the District General Hospital setting

Abstract Aims Ileal pouch anal anastomosis/restorative proctectomy is a standard surgical treatment for ulcerative colitis performed in a few specialist centres. We report the evolution of the service at our trust which originally carried out open pouch surgery but has moved practice towards laparoscopic and robotic-assisted pouch surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the surgical and functional outcomes of patients undergoing laparoscopic/robotic-assisted IPAA. Methods Data were prospectively collected from consecutive laparoscopic/robotic IPAA cases from 2014 to 2021. Patient demographics, operative details, postoperative complications, functional outcomes were collected. Patients were selected by IBD specialized surgeons and reviewed by a pouch nurse. Follow-up consisted of clinical examination and assessment of pouch function. Results 18 patients underwent laparoscopic or robotic IPAA during the study period, 13 (72.23%) were males. Median age was 28 years. Indication for surgery was ulcerative colitis. Median duration of surgery was 7 hours. Four patients (22.23%) developed postoperative intra-abdominal collection, managed conservatively in all except one, who required laparoscopic washout. The median duration of stay was 8 days. The rate of severe complications, Grade 3 and 4 on Clavien-Dindo classification was 11.12%. During a median follow up of 75 months, there were no pouch failures. The median stool frequency was 6 daily. Conclusion Our data suggests that with good patient selection and guidance from an experienced pouch nurse, laparoscopic/robotic IPAA is safe and feasible. Good perioperative outcomes and acceptable pouch function can be achieved in a DGH setting with a team to ensure consistent care of patients.

Is diversion free ileal pouch-anal anastomosis a safe procedure? A meta-analysis of 4973 cases.

Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) has been established as the procedure of choice for patients who require excision of the colon and rectum for familial adenomatous polyposis and ulcerative colitis. The requirement for proximal stomal diversion in IPAA is controversial. To compare post-operative outcomes following IPAA with and without proximal diversion. Computerised literature search, of Ovid MEDLINE and EMBASE. Full-text comparative studies published between 1992 and 2019, in English language and on adult patients. Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis with or without proximal stomal diversion following proctocolectomy. Outcome measures were anastomotic leak, anastomosis strictures, re-operations, pouch failure, intra-abdominal sepsis, small bowel obstruction/ileus and mortality. Five hundred and forty-six studies were screened. Fourteen relevant studies included 4973 cases (1832 patients with no stomas vs 3141 with stomas). Anastomotic strictures (p≤0.0001 OR 0.40; 95% CI (0.26-0.62)) and pouch failures (p = 0.003 OR 0.54; 95% CI (0.36-0.82)) were higher in diverted than non-diverted patients. Re-operation was more frequently required in non-diverted patients (p= 0.02 OR 2.51; 95% CI (1.12-5.59)). Heterogeneity was low in 5 out of 7 variables. In selected patients, diversion-free IPAA is a safe procedure associated with lower anastomotic stricture and pouch failure rates than diverted IPAA. This appears to occur at the expense of a higher re-operation rate. An RCT is required to help define the selection criteria.

Pouch failures following restorative proctocolectomy in ulcerative colitis

PurposeRestorative proctocolectomy (RPC) is the most common operation in ulcerative colitis. Nevertheless, permanent ileostomy will sometimes be unavoidable. The aim was to evaluate the reasons for pouch failure and early morbidity after pouch excision.MethodsThe number and the reasons for pouch failures were analysed in patients undergoing RPC 1985-2016.ResultsOut of 491 RPC patients, 53 experienced pouch failure (10 women, 43 men); 52 out of 53 underwent pouch excision. The cumulative risk for excision at 5, 10 and 20 years was 5.6, 9.4 and 15.5%, respectively. The reasons for failure included septic events such as fistula in 12 (23%), chronic pouchitis in 11 (21%) and leakage in 8 (15%) patients. Functional reasons for pouch failure were recorded as poor function in 16 (30%), incontinence in 12 (23%) and stricture in 12 (23%) patients. Multiple causes for pouch failure were recorded for individual patients. Seven cases of Crohn’s disease were found among the failure cases: two before pouch excision and five after. Altogether, 15 Crohn’s disease diagnoses were set in the RPC cohort, giving a percentage of 47% of pouch failure in this disorder. A complication occurred in 23 (44%) patients within 30 days after surgery; 16 were mild (Clavien-Dindo grades I–II).ConclusionsEleven percent of RPC patients suffered pouch failure: more men than women. The reasons were multiple. Crohn’s disease created a risk of failure, but a half of these patients maintained the pouch. Morbidity after pouch excision was moderate, but in most cases slight.

Long-Term Functional Outcome and Quality of Life After Restorative Proctocolectomy With Mucosectomy and Hand Suture IPAA: 20 Years' Experience in 326 Patients

This paper was designed to evaluate the functional outcome and assess the long-term quality of life (QoL) of patients who underwent restorative proctocolectomy with mucosectomy and hand suture ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) over 20 years. Restorative proctocolectomy with IPAA is the surgical treatment of choice to all familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) patients and those with ulcerative colitis (UC) not responding to conservative management. The procedure has been modified from a transanal hand-suture IPAA after mucosectomy to a stapled IPAA without mucosectomy, but the benefits are still debatable. We studied retrospectively all UC and FAP patients subjected to the procedure between 1987 and 2006, using the SF-36 Health Survey, the Wexner score for incontinence, and an additional questionnaire evaluating various aspects of functional outcome and late complications. A total of 326 patients (53% male) were included in the study. Pouchitis was recorded in 31% of UC and 5% of FAP patients. Anastomotic stricture was observed in 24% of UC and 8% of FAP patients. IPAA-related pouch failures occurred in 9% of UC and 3% of FAP. The median number of bowel movements per 24 hours was 6 (range: 2–20) with 1 (range: 0–8) bowel motion occurring at night. Wexner score was 3.27 (±0.32) for UC and 1.22 (±0.36) for FAP. The overall norm-based SF-36 score for physical/mental health status was 52.85/50.31 and 57.29/50.05 respectively. Restorative proctocolectomy with mucosectomy and hand suture IPAA is a safe procedure with good functional results and quality of life in well-satisfied patients. Pouchitis, anastomotic strictures, and pouch failures were mainly observed in the UC group.

Long-term outcomes and sex differences after restorative proctocolectomy in pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis

BackgroundRestorative proctocolectomy (RPC) for ulcerative colitis (UC) could result in a higher patient quality of life, avoiding frequent disease flares; however, pouch failures and pouch-related complications (PRCs) can develop. PurposeNo cohort studies have examined pouch failure and the differences between adult and pediatric patients or the sex differences in pediatric UC. Therefore, the pouch failure rates were compared between adults and pediatric patients, and pouch failure and PRCs in pediatric UC were evaluated. MethodsUC patients who underwent RPC between January 1987 and June 2014 at Hyogo College of Medicine were included. Patient background characteristics, PRCs, and pouch failure were reviewed. ResultsA total of 1347 adult UC patients and 90 (51 boys, 39 girls) pediatric UC patients were included in the study. The cumulative rate of pouch failure at 10years after RPC was significantly higher in pediatric UC (9.5%) than in adult UC (2.1%; p<0.01). In pediatric UC, the independent risk factors for pouch failure were pouchitis (hazard ratio (HR) 19.3) and anal fistula (HR 5.5). Although a sex difference was not seen in pouch failure, an independent risk factor for PRCs was being a girl (HR 2.5). ConclusionsPouch failure was more common in pediatric than in adult UC. PRCs after RPC were more common in girls in pediatric UC.

Restorative proctocolectomy in patients with ulcerative colitis: a cross‐sectional Danish population study on function and quality of life

The study evaluated function and quality of life (QoL) in all patients having restorative proctocolectomy (RPC) in Denmark for ulcerative colitis (UC) from 1980 to 2010. Inclusion of all patients in one country has never previously been achieved. All patients who had had a RPC in Denmark, from the first case in 1980 to the last case in 2010, were studied. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was performed, and function and QoL were assessed using a standardized questionnaire - the Short-Form 36 (SF36) - and the inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire (IBDQ). The median duration of follow up was 11 (range, 1-30) years. Apart from deaths, pouch failures and research protection, data on function and QoL were obtained from 1047 (85%) of 1229 patients who had a functioning pouch at the time of the investigation. More female patients than male patients experienced urgency (56% vs 44%, P = 0.0021). The median number of bowel movements per 24 h was 7 (range, 1-23) in female patients and 6 (range, 1-20) in male patients (P < 0.001). Pad usage was more frequent among female patients than among male patients (62% vs 38%, P < 0.001). A higher incidence of major incontinence (P = 0.009) and use of pads (P = 0.01) was found among patients who had been operated on 21-30 years previously compared with those operated on 11-20 years previously. The prevalence of urgency was higher in patients who received surgery 0-10 years previously compared with 11-20 years previously (P = 0.009). The total IBDQ score was higher in male patients than in female patients (P < 0.001). Male patients scored higher in five of eight SF36 domains (P < 0.001). Female patients had more urgency, a higher frequency of defaecation and higher pad usage. This was associated with a reduced QoL. Nevertheless, RPC resulted in good function and a high degree of satisfaction in most patients.

Etiology of pouchitis*

Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal-pouch anal anastomosis (RPC) is the operation of choice for ulcerative colitis (UC) patients requiring surgery. It is also used for patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Pouchitis accounts for 10% of pouch failures. It is an idiopathic inflammatory condition that may occur in up to 50% of patients after RPC for UC. It is rarely seen in FAP patients after RPC. The etiology of pouchitis remains unclear. An overlap with UC is suggested by the frequency with which pouchitis affects patients with UC compared with FAP patients. There is significant clinical evidence implicating bacteria in the pathogenesis of pouchitis. Studies using culture and molecular methods demonstrate a dysbiosis of the pouch microbiota in pouchitis. Risk factors, genetic associations, and serological markers of pouchitis suggest that the interactions between the host immune responses and the pouch microbiota underlie the etiology of this idiopathic inflammatory condition. Here we present a detailed review of the data focusing on the pouch microbiota and the immune responses that support this hypothesis. We also discuss the contribution of luminal metabolic factors and the epithelial membrane in the etiology of this inflammatory process. The ileoanal pouch offers a unique opportunity to study the inter-relationships between the gut microbiota and host immune responses from before the onset of disease. For this reason the study of pouchitis could serve as a human model that significantly enhances our understanding of inflammatory bowel diseases in general.

Pouch function and quality of life after successful management of pouch-related septic complications in patients with ulcerative colitis

Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) for ulcerative colitis is associated with pouch-related septic complications (PRSC) in 10% of patients. This study questioned if PRSC have a negative impact on pouch function and quality of life. One hundred thirty consecutive patients undergoing IPAA for ulcerative colitis between 1997 and 2009 were reviewed. At 1-year follow-up, patients were asked to complete questionnaires including a pouch function score (Oresland score, 0-16 points, 0 optimum) and two quality of life scores [Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (SIBDQ), 1-7 points, 7 optimum; Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI), 0-144 points, 144 optimum]. Twelve out of 130 patients (9.2%) undergoing IPAA developed PRSC. These included anastomotic dehiscence (five), pouch leakage (three, one patient had a combined leak), peripouchal abscess (three), pouch-anal fistula (one), and pouch-vaginal fistula (one). Omission of diverting ileostomy was a risk factor for PRSC (OR 4.62, CI 1.17-18.4). PRSC led to four pouch failures (33%), whereas no failure occurred in the control group (p < 0.001). Median 3 (range, 1-10) further operations were necessary until the pouch was salvaged or definitively lost. If the pouch was salvaged, functional Oresland score (8.2 ± 1.3 vs. 6.6 ± 0.5; p = 0.127), SIBDQ (5.0 ± 0.5 vs. 5.5 ± 0.1; p = 0.203), and GIQLI (95.8 ± 8.4 vs. 107.3 ± 2.6; p = 0.119) were not significantly inferior to uncomplicated controls. In case of PRSC, even multiple surgical approaches are worthwhile as the outcome of salvaged pouches in terms of function and quality of life is not substantially inferior to patients without septic complications.

Long-Term Outcome After Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis: Function and Health-Related Quality of Life

This study was designed to investigate long-term pouch function and health-related quality of life in a single, large cohort of patients with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis. Data from 370 patients were included in the study. Thirty-nine patients (11 percent) did not have a functioning pouch (failures) but were included in the health-related quality of life analyses. Pouch function (Oresland score) and health-related quality of life (Short Form-36) were evaluated by postal questionnaires. A total of 88 percent of the patients with a functioning ileal pouch-anal anastomosis returned the questionnaires vs. 76 percent of the failures. Median follow-up time after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis was 15 years vs. 11 years after failure. An age-matched and gender-matched reference sample (n = 286) was randomly drawn from the Swedish Short Form-36 database. Median bowel frequency was six per 24 hours: 76 percent emptied the reservoir at night, 23 percent had urgency, 12 percent had evacuation difficulties, and 17 percent experienced soiling during the day. Fifty-two percent of the males and 32 percent of the females suffered from soiling at night. More than one-half of the patients had occasional perianal soreness, 6 percent considered the pouch to be a social handicap, and 94 percent were satisfied with their pouch. Patients with a functioning ileal pouch-anal anastomosis did not differ from the reference sample on any Short Form-36 domain, except for a reduced score in General Health (P = 0.02). Pouch function was positively correlated to health-related quality of life. Patients with pouch failure had reduced health-related quality of life in most domains. Patients' satisfaction is high and functional outcome is good after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. Poor pouch function affects health-related quality of life negatively. Patients with failure after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis are substantially limited in a variety of health-related quality of life domains.

Incidence and subsequent impact of pelvic abscess after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for chronic ulcerative colitis

This study was designed to measure the impact of pelvic abscess on eventual pouch failure and functional outcome after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis in patients with chronic ulcerative colitis. The outcome of 1,508 patients who underwent ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for chronic ulcerative colitis at the Mayo Clinic was determined from a central patient registry, data were collected prospectively. Seventy-three patients developed a pelvic abscess as a complication of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. Pouch failure occurred in 19 (26 percent). Forty-eight patients (55 percent) required transabdominal salvage surgery, 6 (8 percent) underwent local surgery, and the remaining 27 (37 percent) were treated nonsurgically. Wound infection was more common in patients who experienced pelvic abscess. The majority of pouch failures secondary to pelvic abscess formation occurred within two years of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. Daytime incontinence, the use of a protective pad, and the need for constipating or bulking medication were significantly more common among patients who had an abscess but kept their reservoir. Ability to perform work and domestic activities and to undertake recreational activities were significantly more restricted among these patients. Pouch failure occurs in one-fourth of patients who retain their pouch despite pelvic abscess after ileal pouch-anal anasto mosis. Among patients who retain their pouch despite postoperative pelvic abscess, functional outcome and quality of life are significantly poorer than in patients in whom no sepsis occurred.

Functional results after perineal complications of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis.

This study investigated the functional significance of perineal complications after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. Review of a prospective registry of 628 patients was undertaken. Bowel function was assessed by detailed functional questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed using chi-squared and Fisher's exact probability tests. Of 628 patients, 153 (24.4 percent) had 171 perineal complications. The 277 control patients had no complications. Complications included 66 (10.5 percent) anastomotic strictures, 28 (4.5 percent) anastomotic separations, 36 (5.7 percent) pouch fistulas, 41 (6.5 percent) episodes of pelvic sepsis, and 18 (2.9 percent) patients with multiple complications. After these complications were addressed, the pouch failure rate was low (10 percent); in 90 percent of patients, the pouch could be salvaged. Most pouch failures were the result of pouch fistulas, and most occurred in patients ultimately diagnosed with Crohn's disease. Functional results after cure of these perineal complications revealed no significant functional differences between control patients and those cured of anastomotic separations, anastomotic strictures, and pouch fistulas. Only a few minor differences were demonstrated in function after an episode of pelvic sepsis. The major deterioration in function occurred after treatment for multiple perineal complications. An appreciable number of perineal complications occur after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. Pouch-perineal fistulas are associated with the highest pouch failure rate. The majority of these fistulas occur in patients ultimately diagnosed with Crohn's disease or indeterminate colitis. Although there is no substitute for good technique and sound clinical judgment in the success of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis, if perineal complications are successfully treated, functional outcome is equivalent to that in patients without perineal complications.

Risk factors for pelvic pouch failure.

This study was designed to identify factors associated with pelvic pouch failure. A retrospective review of patients undergoing the pelvic pouch procedure with a minimum of 30 months follow-up was conducted. A total of 551 patients had pelvic pouch procedures from 1981 to 1992. Forty-nine patients (8.8 percent) have undergone pouch excision, and 9 (1.6 percent) have been defunctioned, for 58 (10.5 percent) patients with pouch failure. Cause of failure was leakage from the ileoanal anastomosis (IAA) in 21 (39 percent) patients, poor functional results in 13 (23 percent), pouchitis in 7 (12 percent), pouch leakage in 7 (12 percent), perianal disease in 7 (12 percent), and miscellaneous in 3 (5.2 percent). Nine of 22 patients (41 percent) had pouch failure during the first two years, with 2 of 147 patients (1 percent) having failure during the last two years of the study. The 58 patients whose pouches failed (Group 1) were compared with the 493 patients whose pouches did not fail (Group 2). Handsewn IAA (P < 0.001), tension on the IAA (P < 0.001), use of a defunctioning ileostomy (P < 0.01), a diagnosis of Crohn's disease (P < 0.001), and a leak from the pouch (P < 0.001) or the IAA (P < 0.001) were associated with pouch failure. Pouchitis was not a risk factor. The majority of pouch failures were caused by leaks at the IAA. Although the leak rate remained stable, leaks following a stapled anastomosis seemed to have a better prognosis than leaks following a handsewn anastomosis. Experience with the pouch procedure and the management of complications likely plays an important role in decreasing the risk of pouch failure.

Pouchitis--recurrence of the inflammatory bowel disease?

The incidence and characteristics of reservoir inflammation after restorative proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis were studied in a series of 179 patients. The median follow up time was 27 months (range 6-80). Pouchitis occurred in 36 patients (20%) and nine of these (5%) developed a chronic, persisting pouchitis. There were no pouch failures as a result of pouchitis and no significant adverse effect on longterm functional outcome. The overall cumulative risk to develop pouchitis four years after surgery was 23%. The risk of pouchitis is unpredictable on clinical grounds except that there were significantly less patients with left sided colitis in the group who subsequently developed pouchitis. Morphological and histochemical studies showed a greater degree of colonic metaplasia in the pouch mucosa in patients with pouchitis and patients with a chronic pouchitis had the highest degree of changes. The results support the view that pouchitis is a novel manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease in ileal mucosa that has changed slowly to a colon like mucosa.