Colectomy Followed by J-Pouch Reconstruction to Correct Total Colonic Aganglionosis

Background: Patients suffering from complete colonic aganglionosis (TCA) require the best surgical care possible. Only a few studies reported J-Pouch repair as the primary reconstructive surgery in TCA patients. This study adds to the current literature a thorough clinical and functional outcomes group. Methods: Between 2011 and 2021, medical records of Hirschsprung disease (HD) patients who underwent J-Pouch reconstruction during infancy (n = 12) were reviewed. In close follow-up, bowel function and satisfaction with operation results were evaluated. The median age at the time of J-Pouch reconstruction was 16 months, and covering ileostomies were closed four months later. There were no postoperative problems. After the final repair, Pouch-related problems (PRP) occurred in 27% of the children and were treated conservatively. There was no histological evidence of pouchitis in any of the individuals. The median 24-h stooling frequency was 4–5 at the latest follow-up 51 months following enterostomy closure. Conclusions: The current study’s findings support the existing literature and advocate for J-pouch repair in TCA patients. However, more research will be needed to determine the best time to undergo pouch surgery and ileostomy closure in TCA patients.

Two-time perforation of the ileal J-pouch 6 and 18 years after restorative proctocolectomy and ileal pouch–anal anastomosis for familial adenomatous polyposis: a case report

Background Perforation of the ileal J-pouch after restorative proctocolectomy and ileal pouch–anal anastomosis are extremely rare. There has been no report of perforation of the ileal J-pouch occurring twice over several years. We report the first case of perforation at 6 and 18 years following restorative proctocolectomy. Case presentation The patient was a 52-year-old man who underwent a two-stage restorative proctocolectomy with a hand-sewn ileal J-pouch anal anastomosis due to familial adenomatous polyposis and sigmoid colon cancer at 34 years of age. At the age of 40, he underwent ileal pouch resection at its blind end, abdominal drainage, and anastomotic dilatation. The patient had a perforation of the blind end of the ileal J-pouch from increased intraluminal pressure, with anastomotic stricture and pervasive peritonitis. The patient had no symptoms for a few years; however, 18 years after the initial surgery and 12 years after the first perforation, the patient presented with severe abdominal pain. Computed tomography demonstrated pneumoperitoneum; accordingly, laparotomy was performed. Upon opening the abdominal cavity, contaminated ascites and inflammatory changes were documented involving the ileum. A 2-mm perforation involving the blind end of the ileal J-pouch was also observed and repaired, followed by temporary loop ileostomy creation. Postoperative endoscopy revealed an ulcer in the ileal J-pouch and a stricture located directly at the anastomosis. Conclusions The blind end of the J-pouch repeatedly perforated over the years due to recurrent anastomotic stricture. Regular surveillance is, therefore, considered necessary for the release of stricture, maintenance of anastomotic patency, and prevention of ileal J-pouch perforation.

The Problem of the Colorectal Anastomosis

Colorectal anastomosis is defined as a surgical procedure in which the colon is attached to the remainder of the rectum after most or some part of it was removed during an intervention. A straight colorectal anastomosis implies a direct attachment, while a J-pouch colorectal anastomosis implies a previous creation of a reservoir, or “pouch” out of bowel material. The problem of colorectal anastomosis safety and outcome is among the most important and persistent issues in colorectal surgery, mainly due to the anastomotic leakage, a threatening and dangerous complication, with an incidence of up to 20% or even more in case of surgical oncology. Various prediction models and anastomosis testing techniques have been described in order to prevent or identify early any possible imperfection of the anastomosis, each with pros and cons. The measures generally used to increase the safety and reliability of the colorectal anastomosis are to evaluate the blood supply of the tissues anastomosed with indocyanine green, or to test the mechanical integrity of the anastomosis for leakage by employing air, methylene blue, or tension.

Rectal Reconstruction after Total Mesorectumectomy: Functional Outcomes and Quality of Life

Background. The study aims to compare the functional outcomes and quality of life in patients having variant rectal reconstruction procedures after low anterior resection for cancer.Materials and methods. A prospective randomised controlled trial enrolled 90 patients who underwent total mesorectumectomy with formation of J-pouch (J-P), side-to-end (STE) or end-to-end (ETE) anastomoses.Results and discussion. We analysed 22 J-P, 30 STE and 38 ETE patients. For technical reasons, 26.6 % J-Ps were remodelled to other anastomoses. The neorectal sensory threshold, first and permanent defecation urges and maximal tolerated volume were higher in J-P at months 3–6–12 postoperatively.Severe low anterior resection syndrome events at post-surgery month 6 were significantly more frequent in the ETE vs. J-P and STE cohorts (21, 0 and 3.3 %, respectively, p < 0.05). Stool frequency was significantly lower in J-P vs. STE and ETE at months 3–6–12. Wexner score was 3, 5, 6 at month 6 (p < 0.05) and 0, 1, 1 at month 12 for J-P, STE and ETE, respectively (p > 0.05). Evacuatory dysfunction was present at month 6 in 59.1 J-P, 33.3 STE and 21.1 % ETE.Quality of life (FIQL) in J-P and STE was significantly higher vs. ETE anastomoses in the Lifestyle (3.21, 3.22 and 3.03, respectively, p < 0.05) and Coping (3.29, 3.21 and 2.95, respectively, p < 0.05) scales to month 12 postoperatively.Conclusion. The J-pouch formation after low anterior resection ameliorates anal continence at months 3–6 post-surgery, reduces low anterior resection syndrome and improves quality of life (FIQL). The ease of implementation and irrelevance of evacuatory dysfunction in side-to-end anastomosis make it a superior choice over end-to-end surgery.

Colonic J-pouch versus side-to-end anastomosis for rectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background This study aims to compare colonic J-pouch and side-to-end anastomosis for rectal cancer in terms of surgical and bowel functional outcomes and quality of life (QoL). Methods A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane. The last search was performed on March 28, 2021. All randomized controlled trials comparing colonic J-pouch with side-to-end anastomosis for rectal cancer were enrolled. The main outcomes were bowel functional outcomes and QoL. The secondary outcomes were surgical outcomes including operative time, postoperative hospital stay, complications, and mortality. Results Nine articles incorporating 7 trials with a total of 696 patients (330 by J-pouch and 366 by side-to-end) were enrolled in this meta-analysis. The bowel functional outcomes were comparable between J-pouch and side-to-end groups in terms of stool frequency, urgency, and incomplete defecation at the short term (< 8 months), medium term (8–18 months), and long term (> 18 months) follow up evaluations. No difference was observed between groups with regards to QoL (SF-36: physical function, social function, and general health perception). Besides, surgical outcomes were also similar in two groups. Conclusion The currently limited evidence suggests that colonic J-pouch and side-to-end anastomosis are comparable in terms of bowel functional outcomes, QoL, and surgical outcomes. Surgeons may choose either of the two techniques for anastomosis. A large sample randomized controlled study comparing colonic J-pouch and side-to-end anastomosis for rectal cancer is warranted.

Traumatic J-Pouch Perforation following a Blunt Abdominal Injury

A 46-year-old male was admitted to the trauma department after a motor vehicle accident. He presented with severe abdominal pain and a distended abdomen with peritonitis. His past surgical history included total proctocolectomy with ileal J-pouch anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis 20 years previously. Computed tomography showed free peritoneal air and fluid in the abdomen mandating an exploratory laparotomy. A perforation at the ileal J-pouch blind end was found. Primary closure with diverting loop ileostomy was performed. The patient had an uneventful recovery and underwent closure of the ileostomy two months later. The case and management are discussed after reviewing the literature.