State-of-the-art surgery for ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an autoimmune-mediated colitis which can present in varying degrees of severity and increases the individual’s risk of developing colon cancer. While first-line treatment for UC is medical management, surgical treatment may be necessary in up to 25–30% of patients. With an increasing armamentarium of biologic therapies, patients are presenting for surgery much later in their course, and careful understanding of the complex interplay of the disease, its management, and the patient’s overall health is necessary when considering he appropriate way in which to address their disease surgically. Surgery is generally a total proctocolectomy either with pelvic pouch reconstruction or permanent ileostomy; however, this may need to be spread across multiple procedures given the complexity of the surgery weighed against the overall state of the patient’s health. Minimally invasive surgery, employing either laparoscopic, robotic, or transanal laparoscopic approaches, is currently the preferred approach in the elective setting. There is also some emerging evidence that appendectomy may delay the progression of UC in some individuals. Those who treat these patients surgically must also be familiar with the numerous potential pitfalls of surgical intervention and have plans in place for managing problems such as pouchitis, cuffitis, and anastomotic complications.

DOP33 Predictors of ileo-rectal anastomosis, permanent ileostomy and recurrence of disease after total colectomy for Crohn’s Colitis: Results over 20 years

Background Patients with surgical Crohn’s colitis (CC) might either undergo a total colectomy (TC) and ileo-rectal anastomosis (IRA), or TC and end ileostomy. Among the latter group, a second-stage IRA is not always performed. The predictors of the different outcomes after TC (including the recurrence of disease at the level of the anastomosis) are yet to be identified. Methods Retrospective study including 354 patients undergoing TC for CC (2000–2019), with a minimum preoperative follow-up of 2 years in our centre. The mean postoperative follow-up was 67.5+/-49.8 months (62 patients lost). The primary end-points were to identify the predictors for the following outcomes: a) IRA (87 cases, 24.6%) vs. end ileostomy (267 cases, 75.4%) at the primary colectomy. b) second-stage IRA (80 cases, 39%) vs. no IRA (125 cases, 61%) at the last follow-up. c) recurrence of the disease after IRA (167 patients). Considering the large number of regressors and the risk of over-fitting, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method was used. A multivariate analysis was carried out using the preselected covariates. The analysis was conducted using logistic regression and cox regression for dichotomus and time-dependent outcomes. A p-value<0.05 was considered significant. Results a) Predictors against the IRA at primary TC: preoperative biologic exposure (OR=1.96, CI 1.15–3.33, p=0.014), Crohn’s rectal location (OR=4.17, CI 2.0–8.33, p<0.0001), perianal disease (OR=3.33, CI 1.75–6.25, p<0.0001), and low hemoglobin concentration (OR=1.26, CI 1.01–1.58, p=0.037). b) Predictors of the risk of still having the ileostomy at the follow-up: age (OR: 1.02, CI 1.00–1.04, p=0.045), exposure to biologics before (OR 1.85, CI 1.11–3.03, p=0.017) and after (OR 1.79, CI 1.11–2.89, p=0.018) the TC; postoperative use of azathioprine was associated with a greater chance of a second-stage IRA (OR 2.66, CI 1.21–5.83, p=0.014). c) Risk of anastomotic recurrence was 8.7% and 30.8% at 5 and 10 years. Significant predictors were: female gender (OR 2.38, CI 1.11–5.55, p=0.046), use of more than one biologic (OR 5.65, CI 2.18–9.89, p<0.0001) and worsening of symptoms needing for drug escalation (OR 5.51, CI 2.06–8.59, p=0.001) during the follow-up. Conclusion The location and severity of the disease at diagnosis predict the long-term behavior of the disease. The exposure to biologics, especially if multiple drugs are required, does not represent a risk for worse outcomes per se, but rather identifies a population at higher risk of permanent ileostomy due to more severe disease. These predictors might be implemented in the assessment of patients affected by CC, in order to identify the population at risk of permanent ileostomy.

Pouch failures following restorative proctocolectomy in ulcerative colitis

Purpose Restorative 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. Methods The number and the reasons for pouch failures were analysed in patients undergoing RPC 1985-2016. Results Out 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). Conclusions Eleven 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.

P184 Temporary defunctioning ileostomy in therapy refractory Crohn’s colitis: A viable alternative to immediate colorectal resection?

Background The faecal stream is one of many factors influencing the pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease. Previous research demonstrated some Crohn’s patients benefit from temporary faecal diversion. This study aims to determine the role of temporary faecal diversion by means of a defunctioning ileostomy in treating patients with therapy refractory Crohn’s colitis. Methods Data were retrieved by retrospectively assessing patient records. All patients receiving a temporary ileostomy for therapy refractory Crohn’s colitis from three Dutch hospitals between 2010 and 2018 were included. Patients with previous colorectal resection or malignancy were excluded. Stoma reversal, permanent stoma and extension of colorectal resection at follow-up were determined as primary outcomes. Results Thirty-six patients received a temporary defunctioning ileostomy for therapy refractory Crohn’s colitis. Stoma reversal was attempted in 20 (56%) patients after a mean period of 1 year of which nine underwent additional resection during stoma reversal. After a mean follow-up of 4.2 years, resection was performed in 29 (81%) patients of which 14 (39%) had reduced resection in comparison with the necessary resection at the time of faecal diversion. Among the 14 (39%) patients with restored continuity, three patients remained with full preservation of the colon. Moreover, the presence of proctitis was associated with low stoma reversal rates (p = .007). Conclusion Temporary faecal diversion is associated with reduced resection and reduced risk of permanent ileostomy; therefore, it may be a decent alternative for immediate colorectal resection for patients with isolated Crohn’s colitis. Unfortunately, temporary defunctioning ileostomy is not a viable alternative for resection in Crohn’s patients suffering from proctitis.

P167 Changes of diagnosis after colectomy: a single-center experience

Background Total proctocolectomy (TPC) is relatively common in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), occurring more in ulcerative colitis (UC) as compared with Crohn’s disease (CD) (20.3% vs. 10.5% of patients). Among IBD patients undergoing colectomy, a major complication affecting the clinical outcome is the change of diagnosis. In clinical practice, approximately 5% to 20.9% of UC patients develop CD of the pouch or of the neo-small intestine. The incidence of UC diagnosis after colectomy for complicated colonic CD is less clear. Drugs and progression of the disease can dramatically change the histological findings in this patients; endoscopy after baseline can be atypical and doesn’t provide cross-sectional informations about bowel wall. Aim of the study is to assess the rate of diagnosis change after colectomy in our center. Methods All the IBD patients who consecutively underwent TPC with ileal pouch–anal anastomosis (IPAA) or permanent ileostomy from January 2015 to December 2018 in our IBD Unit were included in this observational, retrospective study. Results Thirty-one patients (22 UC; 22 Males) were included in the study. Among UC patients 14 had pancolitis and 8 a left-sided colitis. Seven were steroid-resistant, 8 were steroid-dependant, 14 experienced failure to medical treatment (one or more biologics) and 8 patients had dysplasia. Mayo endoscopic score was 3 in all patients, but 3. In 5 out of 22 UC patients (22%), diagnosis changed in colonic CD after evaluation of the surgical specime by the pathologist. Four of these patients were referred to our institution by peripheral hospitals with a severe disease, requiring urgent/emergent colectomy and was therefore performed only a proctosigmoidoscopy. Permanent ileostomy was performed in all 5 patients. Among the 8 colonic CD patients 2 were steroid-resistant, 2 were steroid-dependant, 7 failed to one or more biologics, 1 showed mucosal dysplasia and two had bowel stenosis. Two patients (20%) were diagnosed as UC after TPC and IPAA could therefore be performed. Conclusion The change of diagnosis leads to a different surgical outcome, resulting in a worsening in former UC patients and in an improvement in former CD patients. An accurate clinical, endoscopic and histological re-evaluation of the patients is therefore mandatory before TPC. Providing an elevated number of specimens to dedicated pathologists is advisable to avoid potential complications especially in UC patients.

Prevention of complications of intestinal J pouch reservoir

The first colproctrectomy with the formation of a pelvic intestinal reservoir was performed in 1970. Since then, the technique has been thoroughly tested and currently it is the gold standard in the surgical treatment of ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis. This operation allows to improve the quality of patients’ life, reducing the need to form a permanent ileostomy, improving the psychomotional, social and physical rehabilitation of patients. However, this intervention is associated with a high risk of postoperative complications. Impairment of the the pelvic reservoir functioning, as well as the addition of infection, are terrible complications that significantly worsen the patient’s quality of life. Surgeons performing this type of surgery have to face a number of intraoperative and postoperative complications that require repeated interventions. The aim of the study is to improve the results of treatment of patients with the small bowel reservoir. A review and analysis of the literature is performed in this issue. Successful results of performing colproctectomy with the formation of a pelvic enteric reservoir depend on careful preoperative planning, experience of the surgeon, prevention of intra‑ and postoperative complications.

How temporary is temporary ileostomy: variables delaying reversal of an ileostomy

Background: Temporary diversion ileostomy are done to protect distal bowel anastomosis giving adequate time for the bowel repair to heal. Here we studied the reversal time for different temporary ileostomy done and found the factors causing delay in reversal of ileostomy.Methods: In a retrospective cohort of patients, data was collected from the MRD and the operating registry of department of general surgery from January 2013 to December 2017. Parameters like reversal time interval between creation to closure, type of ileostomy, timing of stoma creation, ostomy created with primary index surgery or subsequently, primary etiology that led to creation of ileostomy, ileostomy done on elective list or as an emergency and postoperative complications like anastomotic leak, surgical site infection, intra-abdominal collection were recorded.Results: Of 107 cases, 3 were planned permanent ileostomy and 2 lost follow up. About 77 underwent reversal with mean reversal time of 74.47days, 25 (24.50%) were nonreversed. 51 underwent ileostomy during their second surgical procedure (secondary stoma). End ileostomy, adjuvant chemotherapy, intra-abdominal collection and a secondary stoma caused a delay in the reversal of ileostomy.Conclusions: Although it is said that temporary ileostomies are reversed within 6 to 12weeks time, but reversal time is considerably delayed as what would be anticipated. Ileostomy carries considerable morbidity and psychological impact on lifestyle of patient. Non-reversal of ileostomy should be an important part of pre-procedural counselling because considerable number of ostomies may not be reversed which were deemed to be temporary initially.

Recurrent gallstone ileus in a patient with ileostomy successfully treated by removal of impacted gallstone via the stoma

A 75-year-old man with a permanent ileostomy presented with recurrent gallstone ileus that was treated successfully with removal of the stones via the stoma.