Analysis of Outcomes by Extraction Site following Subtotal Colectomy in Ulcerative Colitis: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Ulcerative colitis frequently requires surgery as a definitive management strategy. The colonic specimen can be extracted from various sites including a midline incision, the stoma site, or a Pfannenstiel incision. It is unclear if one extraction site offers improved outcomes and fewer complications. METHODS: A retrospective review of charts obtained of colorectal surgery patients was conducted for all patients with ulcerative colitis who underwent a subtotal colectomy between 2008 and 2016 at a single tertiary care institution. Demographic data and outcomes data including parastomal and incisional hernias, advanced wound/ostomy certified nurse referrals, surgical site infections, reoperations, and readmissions were collected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were completed to detect any significant differences in outcomes between groups based on extraction site (midline incision, stoma site, or Pfannenstiel incision). RESULTS: Univariate analysis did not show any statistical differences between groups in regard to outcomes. Stoma site extraction did not statistically differ from midline extraction in regard to hernias, advanced ostomy referrals, infections, or reoperations, but midline incision extraction did have a lower risk of readmission (OR = 0.56, p = 0.0066). Pfannenstiel extraction had lower risk of incisional hernias (OR = 0.25, p = 0.0002), advanced ostomy referrals (OR = 0.45, p = 0.0164) and readmission (OR = 0.26, p < 0.0001) as compared to stoma site extraction. CONCLUSIONS: While stoma site extraction can be successfully performed for most patients requiring subtotal colectomy for ulcerative colitis, Pfannenstiel extraction leads to the fewest number of complications and provides the most consistent results.

Ischaemic colitis in rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving tumour necrosis factor-α inhibitors: an analysis of reports to the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System.

BACKGROUND: Tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitors are immunosuppressants, approved for the treatment and maintenance of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Immunosuppression has been shown to induce ischaemic colitis (IC) in an animal model; however, a relationship between TNF inhibitors and IC has rarely been reported in the published literature. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to better characterize the association between TNF-α inhibitors with IC in RA patients, by analysing adverse event reports submitted to the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS) and the published literature. METHODS: The FDA AERS database was searched and we identified all reports between January 2003 and June 2011. The search was limited to an indication of RA, a 'primary suspect' drug of TNF-α inhibitors and a reaction of IC. Full-length reports were obtained and analysed utilizing the Freedom of Information Act. The cases were organized by age, sex, type of TNF-α inhibitor, concomitant drugs and medical co-morbidities. Cases were labelled as definite, probable, possible or doubtful drug-induced adverse events based on the Naranjo Scale. A PubMed search was performed to obtain published literature documenting events of anti-TNF-associated IC. RESULTS: Twelve cases were eliminated because of more likely causes for IC. Thirty-five primary suspect reports of TNF-α inhibitors associated with IC in RA patients were identified in the FDA AERS. Thirteen cases were reported with infliximab, 12 with adalimumab, 7 with etanercept and 3 with certolizumab. The majority of the cases were in females (29/35) and those between the ages of 50 and 65 years (18/35). Use of the Naranjo Scale revealed 17 probable and 18 possible cases of anti-TNF-induced IC. In the literature, one report of IC associated with adalimumab was identified. CONCLUSION: TNF-α inhibitors may be initiating factors or co-factors in the development of IC in RA patients, and further research to determine the mechanism of this association is warranted.