What is the Optimal Strategy for Pouch Salvage at the Time of Redo Ileal-Pouch Anal Anastomosis? Pouch Repair with Re-Anastomosis vs Pouch Excision with Neo-Pouch.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The long-term risk of pouch failure after restorative proctocolectomy with ileal-pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) range from 5 and 15%. Salvage surgery for failing IPAA's may be achieved by disconnecting the IPAA and either repairing and re-using the existing pouch (REP) or constructing a neo-pouch (NEO). We aimed to evaluate whether there are differences in long-term functional pouch survival and functional outcomes between the REP group and the NEO group. We hypothesized patients undergoing REP have higher long-term pouch survival rates compared to patients who require NEO pouch construction. METHODS: Our prospectively maintained Pouch Registry was queried for patients who underwent a pouch salvage surgery with either pouch REP or NEO from 1988 - 2020. Patients who underwent pouch repair without disconnection from the anus were excluded. The primary endpoint was long-term pouch survival after redo pouch surgery. Secondary outcomes were patient reported quality of life and pouch function. RESULTS: Of 653 patients undergoing redo IPAA, 462 met inclusion criteria of transabdominal redo surgery with pouch reconnection 243 (52.6%) had REP and 219 (47.4%) had NEO. Median age was 39 years and 59% were female. Median time between index and redo IPAA was 34 months for REP vs 54 months for NEO (p=0.002). The 5-year pouch survival after redo IPAA was similar between REP (79.5%) and NEO (76.8%) groups (p=0.4). Fewer patients in the REP group reported nighttime pad use (51.4% vs 68.2%, p=0.04). CONCLUSION: Pouch survival and functional outcomes after salvage surgery for failing ileoanal pouch was similar regardless of pouch salvage procedure. When performing redo pouch surgery, surgeons should not hesitate to construct a new pouch if indicated.