Construction of and Conversion to Continent Ileostomy: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Continent ileostomy was first introduced by Nils Kock in 1969 as Kock pouch (K-pouch). Its most characteristic feature, the nipple valve that offers continence' was a later addition. Even though today's continent ileostomy is sidelined by ileal pouch-anal anastomosis as the gold standard of restorative procedures for colectomy patients, it remains an excellent option for select patients, offering an alternative to end-ileostomy or a poorly functioning ileoanal pouch. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to summarize principles and techniques behind K-pouch construction, both de novo and as "J to K" conversion, as well as examine surgical outcomes following the procedure in the modern era regardless of indication. DATA SOURCES: Data sources included PubMed and the Cochrane Library up to July 2021. STUDY SELECTION: The study selection materials included articles reviewing continent ileostomy procedures and outcomes between 2000-2021. Case reports and series <15 were excluded. RESULTS: Fifteen articles were selected for review, describing 958 patients with a K-pouch, 510 patients who had undergone a Barnett continent intestinal reservoir, and 40 who had undergone construction of a T-pouch. CONCLUSION: Continent ileostomies carried out in specialized centers by experienced surgeons can be a great option for patients who would otherwise be confined by an end ileostomy. High pouch survival rates with higher quality-of-life scores than end ileostomy and comparable with IPAA make continent ileostomy a great option, even if we consider the less than ideal reoperation and complication rates. However, it is of paramount importance that patients are carefully selected, thoroughly educated, highly motivated, and engaged in their care. Specifically, for patients with Crohn's disease, further research is needed to help elucidate factors that affect pouch survival and candidacy for K-pouch creation. Finally, continuous surgical technique modifications and refinements can allow even more patients to be considered suitable for the procedure.

Feasibility and Safety of Ambulatory Surgery as the Next Management Paradigm in Colorectal Resection Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Current clinical dogma favors universal inpatient admission after colorectal resection particularly in the presence of an anastomosis. OBJECTIVE: We evaluate the feasibility and safety of ambulatory surgery in carefully selected patients undergoing colorectal resection/anastomosis. METHODS: Between October 2020 and October 2021, all patients undergoing colorectal resection/anastomosis meeting specific criteria {no major comorbidity [American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) <4], not on therapeutic anticoagulation, compliant patient/family} were counseled preoperatively for ambulatory surgery (discharge <24 h postsurgery). Complicated surgery (ileoanal pouch, enterocutaneous fistula repair, reoperative pelvic surgery, multiple resections) and/or ostomy creation (loop/end ileostomy, Hartmann's, abdominoperineal resection) were exclusions. Discharge was at 6 to 8 hours postoperatively if all predetermined factors (no ostomy teaching needed, ambulating comfortably, tolerating diet, stable vitals, and blood-work) were met and patients were willing, or was postponed to the next day at patient request. All discharged patients received phone checks the next day with the option also given for voluntary readmission if inpatient care was preferred by patient. Patients discharged <24 hours postop (AmbC) were compared to those staying on as inpatients admitted (InpC) and also to a comparable historical (October 2019-October 2020) group when ambulatory surgery was not offered (HistC). RESULTS: Of 184 abdominal colorectal surgery patients, 97 had complicated colorectal resection and/or ostomy. Of the remaining 87, 29 (33.3%) were discharged <24 hours postoperatively [7 (24%) patients at 8 h]. Of these 29 AmbC patients, 4 were readmitted <30 days (ileus: 1, rectal bleeding: 2, nausea/vomiting: 1), 1 readmission was on first postdischarge day, none were voluntary post phone-check. AmbC and InpC (n=58) had similar age, sex, race, body mass index, and comorbidity. InpC had greater estimated blood loss (109 vs 34 mL, P <0.001) while length of stay was expectedly significantly longer (109 vs 17 hours, P <0.001). There was no mortality in either group. AmbC and InpC had similar readmission, reoperation, anastomotic leak, ileus, and surgical site infection. Mean length of stay for HistC was 83 hours. AmbC and HistC had similar age, sex, race, body mass index, and ASA class. Complications including readmission, reoperation, anastomotic leak, ileus, and surgical site infection were also similar for AmbC and HistC. CONCLUSIONS: With careful patient selection, preoperative education, perioperative management, and postoperative follow-up, ambulatory surgery is feasible in up to a third of patients undergoing colorectal resection/anastomosis and can be performed with comparable safety to the time-honored practice of routine inpatient hospitalization. Refinements in inclusion/exclusion criteria and postoperative outpatient follow-up will allow a paradigm shift in how such patients are managed, which has huge implications for patient experience, care-giver workload and health care finances.