Prophylactic defunctioning stomas improve clinical outcomes of anastomotic leak following rectal cancer resections: An analysis of the US Rectal Cancer Consortium.

PURPOSE: Anastomotic leak (AL) is a complication of low anterior resection (LAR) that results in substantial morbidity. There is immense interest in evaluating immediate postoperative and long-term oncologic outcomes in patients who undergo diverting loop ileostomies (DLI). The purpose of this study is to understand the relationship between fecal diversion, AL, and oncologic outcomes. METHODS: This is a retrospective multicenter cohort study using patient data obtained from the US Rectal Cancer Consortium database compiled from six academic institutions. The study population included patients with rectal adenocarcinoma undergoing LAR. The primary outcome was the incidence of AL among patients who did or did not receive DLI during LAR. Secondary outcomes included risk factors for AL, receipt of adjuvant therapy, 3-year overall survival, and 3-year recurrence. RESULTS: Of 815 patients, 38 (4.7%) suffered AL after LAR. Patients with AL were more likely to be male, have unintentional preoperative weight loss, and are less likely to undergo DLI. On multivariable analysis, DLI remained protective against AL (p < 0.001). Diverted patients were less likely to undergo future surgical procedures including additional ostomy creation, completion proctectomy, or pelvic washout for AL. Subgroup analysis of 456 patients with locally advanced disease showed that DLI was correlated with increased receipt of adjuvant therapy for patients with and without AL on univariate analysis (SHR:1.59; [95% CI 1.19-2.14]; p = 0.002), but significance was not met in multivariate models. CONCLUSION: Lack of DLI and preoperative weight loss was associated with anastomotic leak. Fecal diversion may improve the timely initiation of adjuvant oncologic therapy. The long-term outcomes following routine diverting stomas warrant further study.

Postoperative results and complications of fecal diversion for anorectal Crohn's disease.

PURPOSE: Fecal diversion is a less-invasive technique that can alleviate symptoms in patients with refractory anorectal Crohn's disease. However, complications, including recurrence of residual anorectal Crohn's disease, may develop. We aimed to evaluate the postoperative results and complications associated with fecal diversion in patients with refractory anorectal Crohn's disease. METHODS: We enrolled 1218 Crohn's disease patients who underwent laparotomy at our institute. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical features of 174 patients who underwent fecal diversion for refractory anorectal Crohn's disease, complications of the diverted colorectum, and the incidence and risk factors for proctectomy after fecal diversion. RESULTS: After fecal diversion, 74% of patients showed improved symptoms. However, bowel continuity restoration was successful in four patients (2.2%), and anorectal Crohn's disease recurred in all patients. Seventeen patients developed cancer with a poor prognosis. The rate of conversion to proctectomy after fecal diversion was 41.3%, and the risk factors included rectal involvement (p = 0.02), loop-type stoma (p < 0.01), and the absence of treatment with biologics after fecal diversion (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Fecal diversion for refractory anorectal Crohn's disease can improve clinical symptoms. Patients with rectal involvement or loop-type stoma have a greater risk of requiring proctectomy following fecal diversion. The administration of biologic may decrease the rate of proctectomy.

Efficacy of laparoscopic surgery for loop colostomy: a propensity-score-matched analysis.

PURPOSE: Colostomy is a common procedure for fecal diversion, but the optimal colostomy approach is unclear in terms of surgical outcomes and stoma-related complications. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy and feasibility of laparoscopic loop colostomy. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent loop colostomy at Shizuoka Cancer Center in Japan between April 2010 and March 2022. Patients were divided into two groups based on surgical approach: the laparoscopic (LAP) and open (OPEN) groups. Surgical outcomes and the incidences of stoma-related complications such as stomal prolapse (SP), parastomal hernia (PSH), and skin disorders (SD) were compared with and without propensity score matching. RESULTS: Of the 388 eligible patients, 180 (46%) were in the LAP group and 208 (54%) were in the OPEN group. The male-to-female ratio was 5.5:4.5 in the Lap group and was 5.3:4.7 in the OPEN group, respectively. The median age was 68 years (range, 31-88 years) in the LAP group and 65 years (range, 23-93 years) in the OPEN group, respectively. The LAP group, compared with the OPEN group, had a shorter operative time and lower incidences of surgical site infection (3.9% versus 16.3%, respectively; p < 0.01) and SD (11.7% versus 24.5%, respectively; p < 0.01). There was no significant difference between the LAP and OPEN groups in the incidence of SP (17.3% versus 17.3%, respectively) or PSH (8.9% versus 6.7%, respectively). After propensity score matching, the incidences of surgical site infection and SD were significantly lower in the LAP group than in the OPEN group, while there were no significant differences in the operative time or the incidences of SP and PSH. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that laparoscopic surgery could be beneficial and feasible in loop colostomy.

Overuse of Proximal Fecal Diversion in Colorectal Surgery.

Many surgeons tend to overuse proximal fecal diversion in the setting of colonic surgery. The decision to proximally divert an anastomosis should be made with careful consideration of the risks and benefits of proximal diversion. Proximal diversion does not decrease the rate of anastomotic leak, but it does decrease the severity of leaks. Anastomotic height for low pelvic anastomoses, hemodynamic instability, steroid use, male sex, obesity, malnutrition, smoking, and alcohol abuse increase the rate of anastomotic leak. Biologics, most immunosuppressive agents, unprepped colons, and radiation for rectal cancer do not contribute to increased rates of anastomotic leak. Proximal fecal diversion creates additional potential morbidity, higher rates of readmission, and need for a subsequent hospitalization and operation for reversal. Additionally, diverted patients have higher rates of anastomotic stricture and delayed recognition of chronic leaks. These downsides to diversion must be weighed with a patient's perceived ability to handle the physiologic stress and consequences of a severe leak if reoperation is required. When trying to determine which patients can handle a leak, the modified frailty index can help to objectively determine a patient's risk for increased rate of morbidity and failure to rescue in the event of a leak. While proximal diversion is still warranted in many cases, we find that certain clinical scenarios often lead to overuse of proximal diversion. The old surgical adage "If you are considering diverting, you should probably do it" should be tempered by an understanding of the risk and benefits of diversion.

Effects of fecal stream deprivation on human intestinal barrier after loop ileostomy.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Intestinal homeostasis is closely associated with the normal intestinal luminal physiological environment. Temporary loop ileostomy changes the intestinal structure and diverts the fecal stream, thereby disturbing the intestinal environment. This study aimed to clarify the changing situation of the human intestinal mucosa barrier in the absence of a fecal stream after loop ileostomy. METHODS: We obtained paired samples from the fed (fecal stream maintained) and unfed (no fecal stream) portions of the loop ileostomy and subjected these samples to RNA sequencing. We also determined transepithelial electrical resistance. The mucus layer thickness and content of MUC2, tight junction proteins, and common antimicrobial peptides in ileum mucosa were studied. RESULTS: Transcriptome data revealed that genes associated with enhancing the intestinal barrier function of the unfed ileum were significantly decreased and genes associated with immune defense response were significantly increased. The transepithelial electrical resistance was lower and the mucus layer thickness was thinner in the unfed ileal mucosa than in the fed ileum. The MUC2, Occludin, and zonula occludens 1 content was lower in the unfed ileum than in the fed ileum. α-Defensin 5, α-defensin 6, and lysozyme content was higher in the unfed ileum than in the enterally fed ileum. CONCLUSION: Intestinal barrier function is weakened after long-term fecal diversion, but antimicrobiota defense function is strengthened. Thus, the intestinal mucosa barrier adopts an alternative stable state during fecal diversion, which may explain the clinical paucity of cases of enterogenic infection caused by loop ileostomy.

Fecal Diversion in Complex Perianal Fistulizing Crohn's Disease.

Complex perianal Crohn's disease (CD) remains a challenging problem. Fecal stream is thought to be a trigger of disease progression in patients with CD. In patients with refractory perianal CD, diversion of fecal stream is sometimes required to alleviate clinical symptoms when medical and local surgical management are unsuccessful. Several studies evaluated the outcomes of fecal diversion for complex perianal CD. After fecal diversion, the majority of patients achieved early clinical response, but the prospect of restoring bowel continuity was low (approximately 20%). Nearly half of the patients eventually required proctectomy. A number of studies attempted to identify predictive factors for the outcomes of fecal diversion. Only rectal involvement was associated with unsuccessful restoration of bowel continuity. Biologic therapy did not seem to improve the efficacy of fecal diversion, although the evidence level was low because of insufficient data or methodological limitations. Based on these results, fecal diversion may be useful in alleviating clinical symptoms related to severe perianal CD and avoiding immediate proctectomy. The impact of biologic therapy on the outcomes of fecal diversion should be further investigated.

Clinicopathological and prognostic evaluations of anorectal cancer after fecal diversion for patients with Crohn's disease.

PURPOSE: Colorectum diversion with a proximal stoma is often the preferred surgical approach in patients with Crohn's disease-related anorectal lesions or refractory colitis. To date, few studies have assessed the incidence and prognosis of cancer in the diverted anorectal segments. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of anorectal cancer associated with Crohn's disease following fecal diversion. METHODS: This was a retrospective study based on medical records of patients diagnosed with Crohn's disease between 1999 and 2020. It was conducted at Yokohama Municipal Citizen's Hospital. Patients diagnosed with anorectal cancer following fecal diversion were identified, and their prognosis was the primary outcome measure. RESULTS: Among 1615 patients, 232 patients (14%) underwent colorectum diversion. Of those 232 patients, 11 were diagnosed with anorectal cancer following fecal diversion, ten were diagnosed with advanced cancer, 10 underwent abdominoperineal resection, and eight died. 1 could not undergo resection due to multiple lung metastasis and died. The overall five-year survival rate in patients diagnosed with anorectal cancer following fecal diversion was 20%. CONCLUSION: Crohn's disease-associated anorectal cancer following fecal diversion was challenging to diagnose early, and patients had a poor prognosis even after curative resection. Early abdominoperineal resection may be considered for patients with Crohn's disease who cannot benefit from cancer screening and surveillance due to difficulty accessing the anorectal stricture via endoscopy.

Rectal foreign bodies: national outcomes after the operating room.

PURPOSE: Rectal foreign bodies can pose a unique problem to the acute care surgeon or emergency room physician. Little data exists on the patient with such a diagnosis, outside of case reports, and institutional cohorts. This study describes demographics and outcomes for this patient population. METHODS: An analysis of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database (2015 to 2018) was performed, capturing patients with a postoperative diagnosis of foreign body of the anus or rectum. Patients were stratified into two groups: those who underwent removal under anesthesia (EUA) and those who required surgical removal. Baseline demographics and outcomes were compared and described. RESULTS: A total of 109 patients were included in the study. The average age was 49.29 ± 14.63 years. The majority of the population was male (92.66%) and white (78.90%). Demographics and preoperative variables were clinically similar between patients receiving an EUA or an operation. Length of stay was longer in patients receiving an operation (4.84 ± 3.27 versus 1.39 ± 3.20 days in those receiving an EUA, p < 0.0001). About 97.24% of the population discharged to their home residence. CONCLUSIONS: This study describes a population of patients admitted for retained foreign body of the rectum, in a population larger than that can be described in a typical institutional review. EUA can be a safe approach to foreign body removal, with laparotomy carrying the typical risks of surgery. This population requires further study to identify the mechanisms and risk factors for alimentary tract injury to reduce operative interventions and improve outcomes.

Extended duration of faecal diversion is associated with increased ileus upon loop ileostomy reversal.

AIM: The timing of ileostomy reversal has been the subject of controversy, with researchers investigating the safety of early versus late stoma closure. Anecdotally, a longer duration of faecal diversion is associated with a greater incidence of postoperative ileus. We sought to investigate the association between duration of diversion and postoperative ileus. METHOD: We conducted an institutional retrospective cohort study on 173 patients undergoing ileostomy closure between 2012 and 2018. Our primary outcome was ileus; secondary outcomes included postoperative complications and descriptive factors. We investigated the association between duration of diversion and ileus using several analyses to ensure that time was treated appropriately as a continuous, nonlinear variable. RESULTS: In all, 20.2% of patients had an ileus. Multivariate analysis did not identify a significant association between any independent predictors and ileus, although there was a trend towards increased risk of ileus with increasing duration of diversion. When treated as a categorical variable, a duration of diversion >328 days independently increased the odds of ileus (OR = 3.25, P = 0.033). Duration of diversion was associated with days to first flatus and to first diet (P = 0.025 and P = 0.004, respectively). When patients received nasogastric intubation, the mean duration of intubation was 3.2 days. CONCLUSION: Greater duration of diversion was associated with a trend towards increased risk of ileus; this risk tripled when diversion lasted more than 328 days.

Fecal diverting device for the substitution of defunctioning stoma: preliminary clinical study.

BACKGROUND: A novel fecal diverting device (FDD) made for the prevention of sepsis resulting from anastomotic leakage (AL) was tested successfully in an animal study. This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical safety and effectiveness of the FDD. METHODS: A prospective observation trial was implemented in a tertiary referral university hospital. The study enrolled patients who needed a defunctioning stoma to preserve low-lying rectal anastomosis. The FDD was fixed to the proximal colon 15 cm from the anastomosis and scheduled to divert feces for 3 weeks. The duration could be extended for more than 3 weeks if AL was noted. Postoperative evaluations of AL were performed by obtaining a computed tomography (CT) scan after 1 week and a contrast study after 3 weeks. The outcomes were FDD-related complications, and the capacity of the FDD to preserve the anastomosis. The median follow-up period was 10 (range 5-40) months. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients, including 5 benign cases, were evaluated. There was no case of stoma conversion or surgical re-intervention. Evidence of AL was identified in 10 (32%) patients using the CT scan at 1 week after surgery. However, in the contrast study at 3 weeks after surgery, only 5 cases of AL sinus were noted. Conservative treatments including 1-3 weeks prolongation of FDD maintenance were enough to preserve the anastomosis. There were 3 cases of partial colonic wall erosions at the FDD attachment area. All of these patients showed improvement with conservative treatment. The limitations were that the study was performed in a single institute and without a control group. CONCLUSIONS: The FDD showed a sufficient capacity of fecal diversion and maintenance duration that prevented aggravation of sepsis in the case of AL without significant complications.

The influence of diverting loop ileostomy vs. colostomy on postoperative morbidity in restorative anterior resection for rectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the morbidity of loop ileostomy (LI) and loop colostomy (LC) creation in restorative anterior resection for rectal cancer as well as the morbidity of their reversal. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE via Ovid, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched for records published from 1980 to 2017 by three independent researchers. The primary endpoint was overall morbidity after stoma creation and reversal. Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio (OR) was used to compare categorical variables. Clinical significance was evaluated using numbers needed to treat (NNT). RESULTS: Six studies (two randomized controlled trials and four observational studies) totaling 1063 patients (666 LI and 397 LC) were included in the meta-analysis. Overall morbidity rate after both stoma creation and closure was 15.6% in LI vs. 20.4% in LC [OR(95%CI) = 0.67 (0.29, 1.58); p = 0.36] [NNT(95%CI) = 21 (> 10.4 to benefit, > 2430.2 to harm)]. Morbidity rate after stoma creation was both statistically and clinically significantly lower after LI [18.2% vs. 30.6%; OR(95%CI) = 0.42 (0.25, 0.70); p = 0.001; NNT(95%CI) = 9 (4.7, 29.3)]. Dehydration rate was 3.1% (8/259) in LI vs. 0% (0/168) in LC. The difference was not statistically or clinically significant [OR(95%CI) = 3.00 (0.74, 12.22); p = 0.13; NNT (95%CI) = 33 (19.2, 101.9)]. Ileus rates after stoma closure were significantly higher in LI as compared to LC [5.2% vs. 1.7%; OR(95%CI) = 2.65 (1.13, 6.18); p = 0.02]. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis found no difference between LI and LC in overall morbidity after stoma creation and closure. Morbidity rates following the creation of LI were significantly decreased at the cost of a risk for dehydration.

The Use of Temporary Fecal Diversion in Colonic and Perianal Crohn's Disease Does Not Improve Outcomes.

AIMS: To determine whether temporary fecal diversion for refractory colonic and/or perianal Crohn's disease can lead to clinical remission and restoration of intestinal continuity after optimization of medical therapy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our prospectively maintained database of patients treated at the University of Maryland for Crohn's disease between May 2004 and July 2014. Patients with colonic, perianal, or colonic and perianal Crohn's disease, who had fecal diversion for control of medically refractory and/or severe disease, were included. Outcomes, including disease activity and rate of ileostomy reversal, were evaluated up to 24 months from stoma formation. RESULTS: Thirty patients were identified. Fecal diversion was performed for perianal disease in 37%, colonic disease in 33%, and both in 30% of patients. Twelve (40%) patients underwent ileostomy reversal. Twenty-five percent of patients with perianal disease had their ostomies reversed compared to 70% of patients with colonic disease alone. More patients with complex compared to simple perianal disease remained diverted (p = 0.02). Six (20%) patients required colectomy. Of these, 50% had complex perianal disease, all had received two or more biologics, and two-thirds were on combination therapy pre-diversion. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found that nearly two-thirds of patients with medically refractory colonic and/or severe perianal Crohn's disease treated with fecal diversion and optimization of postoperative medical therapy remain diverted or require colectomy within two years after ileostomy formation. In patients with severe, refractory perianal disease and those treated with combination therapy and >1 biologic exposure pre-diversion, colectomy rather than temporary fecal diversion should be considered.

Long-term follow-up of Fournier's Gangrene in a tertiary care center.

BACKGROUND: After surgical debridement, the use of fecal diversion systems (such as an endo-rectal tube or surgical colostomy) in Fournier's Gangrene (FG) to assist with wound healing remains controversial. METHODS: A 6-y retrospective review of a tertiary medical center emergency surgery database was conducted. Variables abstracted from the database include patient demographics, laboratory and physiological profiles, hospital length-of-stay, intensive care unit length-of-stay, operative data, time to healing, morbidity, and mortality. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients were treated. Seventy-seven percent (n = 27) required some form of fecal diversion (21 patients using an endo-rectal tube and six patients undergoing construction of a surgical colostomy). One patient had a pre-existing colostomy before the development of FG. The remaining seven patients underwent conservative wound care with multiple daily dressing changes (no diversion system). Twenty-eight of the 35 patients (80.0%) had long-term follow-up with 100% having completely healed surgical wounds at the final clinic visit. Average time to complete wound healing was 4.8 ± 1.0 mo (range, 1.0-31.0). Of the six patients who underwent colostomy formation, two had their colostomies reversed, two were unacceptable surgical risk and did not undergo reversal (due to uncontrolled diabetes and cardiovascular disease), and two were lost to follow-up. Of the two patients who had their colostomies reversed both had complications from their reversal (leak and urinary retention). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical colostomy may not be mandatory (and might be associated with a high additional morbidity) in FG. With appropriate patient selection, it may be possible to avoid colostomy formation using a less-invasive diversion technology without compromising patient outcomes.

Current use of diverting stoma in anterior resection for cancer: population-based cohort study of total and partial mesorectal excision.

PURPOSE: A diverting stoma is commonly used to reduce the risk of anastomotic leakage when performing total mesorectal excision (TME) in anterior resection for rectal cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of fecal diversion in relation to partial mesorectal excision (PME). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was undertaken on a national cohort, originally created to study the impact of central arterial ligation on patients with increased cardiovascular risk. Some 741 patients operated with anterior resection for rectal cancer during the years 2007 through 2010 were followed up for 53 months. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the impact of diverting stoma on the risk of anastomotic leakage and permanent stoma, expressed as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: The risk of anastomotic leakage was increased in TME surgery when not using a diverting stoma (OR 5.1; 95% CI 2.2-11.6), while the corresponding risk increase in PME patients was modest (OR 1.8; 95% CI 0.8-4.0). At study completion or death, 26 and 13% of TME and PME patients, respectively, had a permanent stoma. A diverting stoma was a statistically significant risk factor for a permanent stoma in PME patients (OR 4.7; 95% CI 2.5-9.0), while less important in TME patients (OR 1.8; 95% CI 0.6-5.5). CONCLUSION: The benefit of a diverting stoma concerning anastomotic leakage in this patient group seems doubtful. Moreover, the diverting stoma itself may contribute to the high rate of permanent stomas.

Ostomy Management for Pediatric Perianal Crohn's Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Pediatric patients with perianal Crohn's Disease (CD) suffer recalcitrant fistulas, abscesses, and strictures. Fecal diversion is a palliative last resort, but the expected clinical course and long-term management of the ostomy for this population is unclear. We sought to identify factors predictive of ostomy takedown and establish management recommendations for fistulizing and stenosing disease. METHODS: We reviewed our institutional registry for patients aged 1-18 years with CD who received perianal surgery from 2011 to 2021. We analyzed medical therapy, examinations under anesthesia (EUA), fistula and stenosis response, and rates of fecal diversion and reversal. RESULTS: There were 109 patients with fistulizing CD and 21 with stenosing CD. There were 8 diverted for fistula and 4 due to stricture [8/109 (7 %) vs 4/21 (19 %), p = 0.213]. Three patients with fistulizing disease had their ostomy reversed at an average of 1.46 years. Each demonstrated consistent CD control and with no additional perianal flares. The remainder have been diverted 3.15 ± 4.57 years with 2.1 ± 2.8 EUAs. Only one patient with stricture was durably reversed, but they still require serial anal dilation. Two were reversed but required re-diversion due to stricture progression. CONCLUSION: Reversal rates after fecal diversion for pediatric perianal CD remain disappointingly low and diversion does not obviate the possibility of future EUAs. While reversal was successful for medically responsive patients with fistulizing disease, those with stenosing disease remained dependent on anal dilations and were more likely to fail reversal. Fecal diversion does nothing to reverse an established stricture and such patients will likely need to decide between indefinite dilations or permanent ostomy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV. TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective review.

Simple Diverting Colostomy for Sacral Pressure Ulcers: Not So Simple After All.

BACKGROUND: Surgeons are often asked to provide a diverting colostomy to enable healing or simplify management of sacral pressure ulcers. However, little evidence exists regarding the safety of a diversion in this often compromised patient population. We hypothesized that malnourished patients with sacral pressure ulcers have poor outcomes with fecal diversion. METHODS: ACS-NSQIP (2012-2018) was used to identify patients who underwent elective diverting colostomy for sacral pressure ulcers. Demographics, comorbidities, and perioperative details were recorded. Postoperative complications and 30-day mortality were compared between patients with moderate/severe hypoalbuminemia (< 2.5 g/dL) vs those with albumin > 2.5 g/dL. RESULTS: We identified a total of 863 patients who underwent elective diverting colostomy for sacral pressure ulcer. Mean age was 57.5 years old. Rate of associated comorbidities was high, with most patients classified as ASA class 3 or 4. Over 40% of patients had a preoperative albumin level < 2.5 g/dL. Thirty-day overall postoperative mortality was 6.7%. This was significantly higher in patients with hypoalbuminemia (11.4% vs. 3.5%, p < 0.001). On multivariable regression analysis, preoperative albumin < 2.5 g/dL was independently associated with mortality (OR 1.92, p = 0.039). Other factors associated with mortality included increased age (OR 1.04 per year, p < 0.001), preoperative sepsis (OR 1.66, p = 0.003), and Black race (OR 2.2, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Diverting colostomy performed for patients with sacral pressure ulcers is associated with a substantial risk of postoperative death. Surgeons should carefully consider risks of diversion in this patient population, especially in malnourished patients with hypoalbuminemia.

Management of open pelvic ring injuries.

Open pelvic ring injuries are rare clinical entities that require multidisciplinary care. Due to the scarcity of this injury, there is no well-defined treatment algorithm. As a result, conflicting evidence surrounding various aspects of care including wound management and fecal diversion remain. Previous studies have shown mortality reaching 50% in open pelvic ring injuries, nearly five times higher than closed pelvic ring injuries. Early mortality is due to exsanguinating hemorrhage, while late mortality is due to wound sepsis and multiorgan system failure. With advancements in trauma care and ATLS protocols, there has been an improved survival rate reported in published case series. Major considerations when treating these injuries include aggressive resuscitation with hemorrhage control, diagnosis of associated injuries, prevention of wound sepsis with early surgical management, and definitive skeletal fixation. Classification systems for categorization and management of bony and soft tissue injury related to pelvic ring injuries have been established. Fecal diversion has been proposed to decrease rates of sepsis and late mortality. While clear indications are lacking due to limited studies, previous studies have reported benefits. Further large-scale studies are necessary for adequate evaluation of treatment protocols of open pelvic ring injuries. Understanding the role of fecal diversion, avoidance of primary closure in open pelvic ring injuries, and importance of well-coordinated care amongst surgical teams can optimize patient outcomes.

Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging spectrum of complex perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease: A cohort study from northern India.

BACKGROUND: Fistulizing perianal Crohn's disease (CD) is a debilitating condition associated with significant morbidity and reduction in the quality of life. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pelvis is the preferred imaging modality for the comprehensive assessment of the perianal fistula. There is a paucity of data from India on the MRI spectrum of complex perianal fistula in CD. METHODS: A single-centre cross-sectional analysis of patients with fistulizing perianal CD, who underwent pelvic MRI between January 2020 and December 2021, was performed. The clinical (age, sex, disease duration, disease location and behavior, disease activity [Perianal Disease Activity Index, PDAI] and treatment received) and radiological (number and location of fistulae, extensions, number and location of internal and external openings, fistula activity, presence or absence of perianal abscess and associated proctitis) characteristics of complex perianal fistula (defined according to the American Gastroenterological Association classification) were recorded. RESULTS: Of total 175 patients with CD who attended the gastroenterology clinic during the study period, 27 (15.42%) (mean age 42±15.5 years, 62.96% females and median disease duration four years) had complex perianal fistula and were included in the analysis. The mean PDAI was 5.48±2.53. The median Van Assche Index was 17 (interquartile range [IQR] 13-19). A majority (96.29%) of the fistulae were trans-sphincteric and four (14.81%) fistulae extended into the supralevator space. All fistulae were active on MRI. Concomitant perianal abscess and proctitis were seen in 59.26% (n=16) and 62.96% (n=17) of patients, respectively. Combination therapy with biologics and antibiotics/immune-suppressants were the most commonly prescribed medical therapy. Six (22.22%) patients underwent combined medical and surgical (non-cutting seton, fistulectomy, fecal diversion) treatment. CONCLUSION: The cumulative risk of the development of fistulizing perianal CD in a northern Indian cohort was similar to the western populations. Complex perianal fistulae were predominantly trans-sphincteric and commoner in females. MRI evaluation is pivotal for the delineation of fistula anatomy, assessment of disease extent and activity and the evaluation of concomitant perianal abscess and other complications.

Is Intestinal Diversion an Effective Treatment for Distal Crohn's Disease?

BACKGROUND: Fecal diversion with an ileostomy is selectively used in cases of medically refractory Crohn's proctocolitis or advanced perianal disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical improvement after fecal diversion in Crohn's disease (CD) and factors associated with clinical improvement. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of adult CD patients undergoing ileostomy formation for distal disease between 2000 and 2019 at 2 CD referral centers was conducted. The primary outcome was the rate of clinical improvement with diversion that allowed for successful restoration of intestinal continuity. Secondary outcomes included the rate of clinical and endoscopic improvement after fecal diversion, ileostomy morbidity, need for subsequent total proctocolectomy and end ileostomy, and factors associated with a clinical response to fecal diversion. RESULTS: A total of 132 patients with a median age of 36 years (interquartile range, 25-49) were included. Mean duration of disease was 16.2 years (10.4) years. Indication for surgery was medically refractory proctocolitis with perianal disease (n = 59; 45%), perianal disease alone (n = 24; 18%), colitis (n = 37; 28%), proctitis (n = 4; 3%), proctocolitis alone (n = 4; 3%), and ileitis with perianal disease (n = 4; 3%). Medications used before surgery included corticosteroids (n = 59; 45%), immunomodulators (n = 55; 42%) and biologics (n = 82; 62%). The clinical and endoscopic response to diversion was 43.2% (n = 57) and 23.9% (n = 16). At a median follow-up of 35.3 months (interquartile range, 10.6-74.5), 25 patients (19%) had improved and had ileostomy reversal, but 86 (65%) did not improve, with 50 (38%) undergoing total proctocolectomy for persistent symptoms. There were no significant predictors of clinical improvement. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a "temporary" ileostomy is largely ineffective in achieving clinical response.

Fecal Diversion for Perianal Crohn Disease in the Era of Biologic Therapies: A Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: The natural history of perianal Crohn disease (PCD) after fecal diversion in the era of biologics is poorly understood. We assessed clinical and surgical outcomes after fecal diversion for medically refractory PCD and determined the impact of biologics. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, multicenter study from 1999 to 2020. Patients who underwent fecal diversion for refractory PCD were stratified by diversion type (ostomy with or without proctectomy). Times to clinical and surgical outcomes were estimated using Kaplan-Meier methods, and the association with biologics was assessed using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients, from 3 academic institutions, underwent a total of 97 fecal diversions: 68 diversions without proctectomy and 29 diversions with proctectomy. Perianal healing occurred more commonly after diversion with proctectomy than after diversion without proctectomy (83% vs 53%; P = 0.021). Among the patients who had 68 diversions without proctectomy, with a median follow-up of 4.9 years post-diversion (interquartile range, 1.66-10.19), 37% had sustained healing, 31% underwent surgery to restore bowel continuity, and 22% underwent proctectomy. Ostomy-free survival occurred in 21% of patients. Biologics were independently associated with avoidance of proctectomy (hazard ratio, 0.32; 95% confidence interval, 0.11-0.98) and surgery to restore bowel continuity (hazard ratio, 3.10; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-9.37), but not fistula healing. CONCLUSIONS: In this multicenter study, biologics were associated with bowel restoration and avoidance of proctectomy after fecal diversion without proctectomy for PCD; however, a minority of patients achieved sustained fistula healing after initial fecal diversion or after bowel restoration. These results highlight the refractory nature of PCD.