Safety of transanal ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis: a retrospective observational cohort study

Background Colectomy with transanal ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (taIPAA) is a surgical technique that can be used to treat benign colorectal disease. Ulcerative colitis is the most frequent inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and although pharmacological therapy has improved, colectomy rates reach up to 15%. The objective of this study was to determine anastomotic leakage rates and treatment after taIPAA as well as short- and long-term pouch function. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of a prospective database of all patients undergoing taIPAA at an academic tertiary referral center in Germany, between 01/03/2015 and 31/08/2019. Patients with indications other than ulcerative colitis or with adjuvant chemotherapy following colectomy for colorectal carcinoma were excluded for short- and long-term follow up due to diverging postoperative care yet considered for evaluation of anastomotic leakage. Results A total of 22 patients undergoing taIPAA during the study time-window were included in analysis. Median age at the time of surgery was 32 ± 12.5 (14–54) years. Two patients developed an anastomotic leakage at 11 days (early anastomotic leakage) and 9 months (late anastomotic leakage) after surgery, respectively. In both patients, pouches could be preserved with a multimodal approach. Twenty patients out of 22 met the inclusion criteria for short and long term follow-up. Data on short-term pouch function could be obtained in 14 patients and showed satisfactory pouch function with only four patients reporting intermittent incontinence at a median stool frequency of 9–10 times per day. In the long-term we observed an inflammation or “pouchitis” in 11 patients and a pouch failure in one patient. Conclusion Postoperative complication rates in patients with benign colorectal disease remain an area of concern for surgical patient safety. In this pilot study on 22 selected patients, taIPAA was associated with two patients developing anastomotic leakage. Future large-scale validation studies are required to determine the safety and feasibility of taIPAA in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Transanal Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis for Ulcerative Colitis - A Retrospective Single-Center Study Regarding Anastomotic Leakage and Episodes of Pouchitis in the Long-Term

Introduction:Colectomy with transanal ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (taIPAA) is a surgical technique that can be used to treat benign colorectal disease. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is the most frequent inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and although pharmacological therapy has improved, colectomy rates reach up to 15%. Objective of this study was to determine anastomotic leakage (AL) rates and treatment after taIPAA as well as short- and long-term pouch function. Patients and Methods:Data from a prospectively collected database of all patients undergoing taIPAA in our center between March 2015 and August 2019 was analyzed retrospectively. Patients with indications other than UC or with adjuvant chemotherapy following colectomy for colorectal carcinoma were excluded. Results:Of 23 patients undergoing taIPAA in our center 20 patients met the inclusion criteria, with a median age of 36 years at the time of pouch formation. Overall prevalence of AL was 10% with one early (11 days after operation) and one late AL (19 months after operation). In both patients pouches could be preserved with a multimodal approach based on endosponge therapy. Data on short-term pouch function could be obtained in 11 (55.8%) patients and was satisfactory in all cases. In the long-term we observed a pouchitis rate of 57.9% and a pouch failure rate of 5.3%.Conclusion:In our study, taIPAA surgery is a safe procedure and results in good patient outcome. The rate of AL is comparable to transabdominal IPAA. In order to fully evaluate the risks and benefits of taIPAA further studies with larger cohorts of patients are required.

The Microbiota Profile in Inflamed and Non-Inflamed Ileal Pouch–Anal Anastomosis

The objective was to determine the bacterial composition in inflamed and non-inflamed pouches for comparison to the microbiota of healthy individuals. Pouch patients and healthy individuals were included between November 2017 and June 2019 at the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark. A faecal sample was collected from all participants for microbiota analysis using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Overall, 38 participants were included in the study. Eleven patients with a normally functioning pouch, 9 patients with chronic pouchitis, 6 patients with familial adenomatous polyposis, and 12 healthy individuals. Patients with chronic pouchitis had overall lower microbial diversity and richness compared to patients with a normal pouch function (p < 0.001 and p = 0.009) and healthy individuals (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001). No significant difference was found between patients with familial adenomatous polyposis and chronic pouchitis (microbial diversity p = 0.39 and richness p = 0.78). Several taxa from the family Enterobacteriaceae, especially genus Escherichia, were associated primarily with patients with chronic pouchitis, while taxa from the genus Bacteroides primarily were associated with healthy individuals and patients with a normally functioning pouch. Finally, a microbial composition gradient could be established from healthy individuals through patients with normal pouch function and familial adenomatous polyposis to patients with chronic pouchitis.

P395 Management of pouch vaginal fistulae in ulcerative colitis: A 35-year experience

Background Pouch vaginal fistulae (PVF) occur following restorative proctocolectomy with an incidence of 6%. The overall rate of pouch failure is 10% but may be as high as 29% with a PVF. PVF can be relatively asymptomatic, with low volume vaginal mucus discharge alone, or can cause considerable morbidity with persistent, passive leakage of faeces and gross perianal excoriation. Management is challenging with a range of reparative techniques reported and no gold standard. Despite a lack of evidence, anti-TNF agents are increasingly used. It is unclear whether there are factors which may predict fistula closure with anti-TNF therapy. The primary aim of fistula therapy should be fistula eradication or amelioration of fistula symptoms without worsening pouch function. Methods This is a retrospective analysis of the management of PVF in ulcerative colitis in a tertiary referral centre. Demographic, clinical history and presenting symptoms of fistula including pouch function were collected. Symptomatic burden related to the fistula and the presence or absence of gastrointestinal continuity were assessed. Results Fifty patients with PVF were identified between 1984 and 2019 and complete clinical notes were available and analysed for 30 of these. The median age at diagnosis was 36 (range 19–52) years. The median follow-up from pouch creation was 12.5 years. A PVF developed in 30% within 1 year of pouch creation and in 70% after 1 year. In this cohort, 17 (56%) maintained gastrointestinal continuity, of whom 13 were asymptomatic of fistula symptoms (11 after intervention), while 4 were symptomatic but declined intervention. Of the 11 patients who were asymptomatic following treatment, 3 had perianal pouch advancement, 1 had a redo transabdominal pouch, 2 had transvaginal repair, 2 had seton drainage and 3 patients were managed with anti-TNF therapy. Anti-TNF agents were used in 5 patients, 1 of whom was already defunctioned. Three achieved quiescence of symptoms, with 1 requiring pouch excision due to ongoing symptoms. Three patients with poor pouch function prior to anti-TNF therapy noted an improvement in pouch function. Pouch excision or permanent defunctioning was performed in 13 patients (predominantly due to the burden of fistula symptoms rather than poor pouch function). Conclusion Around 50% of patients with PVF required pouch excision or permanent defunctioning. The burden of fistula symptoms drove this decision, rather than overall poor pouch function. Anti- TNF therapy improved pouch function and fistula symptoms in a small group of patients but the evidence supporting its use and indications remain limited.

Endo-sponge Assisted Early Surgical Closure of Ileal Pouch-anal Anastomotic Leakage Preserves Long-term Function: A Cohort Study

Background and Aims Endo-sponge [Braun Medical] assisted early surgical closure [ESC] is an effective treatment to control pelvic sepsis after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis [IPAA] leakage, and became standard treatment in our centre from 2010 onwards. The aim of this cohort study was to assess the long-term pouch function of ulcerative colitis [UC] patients treated with ESC or conventional management [CM] for anastomotic leakage after IPAA. Methods Consecutive patients who underwent an IPAA for UC between 2002 and 2017 were included. Patients treated with ESC [2010–2017] or CM [2002–2009] for anastomotic leakage were compared with control patients without anastomotic leakage of the corresponding time period. Main endpoints were long-term pouch function on a 3-point scale and pouch failure, as measured with the validated pouch dysfunction score questionnaire. Results Some 280 of 334 patients [84%] returned the pouch dysfunction questionnaire, of whom 18 were treated with ESC and 22 with CM for anastomotic leakage. Control cohorts included 133 [2010–2017] and 107 patients [2002–2009]. Between ESC-treated patients and control patients, pouch function [p = 0.647] and pouch failure rates [0/18 versus 5/133, p &gt;0.99] were similar. CM resulted in worse pouch function [p = 0.016] and a higher pouch failure rate [5/22 versus 5/107, p = 0.013] compared with control patients. Conclusions ESC, in contrast to CM, for IPAA leakage in UC patients is associated with preservation of pouch function and preclusion of pouch failure, probably due to early and effective treatment of pelvic sepsis.

Health-Related Quality of Life after Restorative Proctocolectomy: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and Aims: Patients undergoing restorative proctocolectomy have often suffered from active ulcerative colitis which should be remembered when assessing quality of life after operation. The aim of this study was to explore health-related quality of life after restorative proctocolectomy in those with poor or good pouch function and to compare that to patients with active or inactive ulcerative colitis and to the general population. Material and Methods: Altogether, 282 restorative proctocolectomy patients were investigated. The control group comprised 408 ulcerative colitis patients from the local register. Generic 15D and disease-specific inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire health-related quality of life instruments were used. Population-based data were available for 15D. Pouch function was evaluated with Öresland score and colitis activity with simple clinical colitis activity index. Results: 15D results showed that patients with good pouch function had health-related quality of life similar to that of the general population. Health-related quality of life with inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire was equally good in patients with good pouch function (n = 131; 70%) and inactive colitis (n = 95; 63%), and equally impaired in patients with poor pouch function (n = 56; 30%) and active colitis (n = 18; 12%). Conclusion: The majority of patients had health-related quality of life comparable to that in general population. Most patients with active ulcerative colitis are likely to improve their health-related quality of life after successful surgery. These findings are important when informing colitis patients about life after surgery.