Perianal Fistula After Ileoanal Pouch in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis: A Review of 475 Patients Operated on at a Major IBD Center.

BACKGROUND: Ileoanal pouch anastomosis is the surgical treatment of choice for patients with intractable ulcerative colitis. Perianal disease is a feature that is often present in Crohn's disease and infrequently in ulcerative colitis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to identify the incidence and factors associated with the development of postoperative perianal fistula in patients undergoing ileoanal pouch anastomosis for ulcerative colitis. DESIGN: A prospectively collected database at the time of surgery with subsequent follow-up was utilized. SETTING: The study was conducted at a high-volume single institution. PATIENTS: We studied a series of 475 consecutive patients with preoperative diagnosis of ulcerative colitis who underwent ileoanal pouch anastomosis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The incidence of postoperative perianal fistula and the factors correlating with its development were primary outcome measures of the study. RESULTS: The overall number of patients developing perianal fistulas was 44 of 475 (9%). Eleven patients with perianal fistula (25%) required return to ileostomy, of which 7 had pouch excision. Patients who developed a postoperative perianal fistula had a younger age at the onset of disease, had a lower age at index surgery, and were more likely to be subsequently classified as indeterminate colitis or Crohn's disease. Patients developing perianal fistulas were also more likely to develop partial dehiscence or stricture of the ileoanal anastomosis. LIMITATIONS: This study spans nearly 40 years during which the surgical procedure evolved. CONCLUSIONS: Young age at the onset of disease, lower age at surgery, and postoperative diagnosis of Crohn's disease and indeterminate colitis were the factors correlating with perianal fistulas. Delayed healing of the ileoanal anastomosis with partial separation and/or stricture also correlated with the onset of perianal fistulas. The severity of rectal inflammation at the time of surgery or the presence of stapled versus handsewn anastomosis did not correlate with the development of perianal fistulas. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B705. FSTULA PERIANAL POSTERIOR A RESERVORIO ILEOANAL EN PACIENTES CON COLITIS ULCERATIVA UNA REVISIN DE PACIENTES OPERADOS EN UN CENTRO PRINCIPAL DE EII: ANTECEDENTES:El reservorio ileoanal es el tratamiento quirúrgico de elección para los pacientes con colitis ulcerativa intratable. La enfermedad perianal es una característica que a menudo está presente en la enfermedad de Crohn y con poca frecuencia en la colitis ulcerativa.OBJETIVO:El objetivo del estudio es identificar la incidencia y los factores asociados con el desarrollo de fístula perianal posoperatoria en pacientes sometidos a reservorio ileoanal por colitis ulcerativa.DISEÑO:Base de datos recopilada prospectivamente en el momento de la cirugía con seguimiento subsecuente.ENTORNO CLÍNICO:El estudio se llevó a cabo en una única institución de gran volumen.PACIENTES:Estudiamos una serie de 475 pacientes consecutivos con diagnóstico preoperatorio de colitis ulcerativa a los que se les realizó reservorio ileoanal.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE VALORACIÓN:La incidencia de fístula perianal posoperatoria y los factores que se correlacionan con su desarrollo fueron las principales medidas de resultado del estudio.RESULTADOS:El número total de pacientes que desarrollaron fístulas perianales fue 44 de 475 (9%). Once pacientes con fístula perianal (25%) requirieron volver a la ileostomía, de los cuales 7 tuvieron resección del reservorio. Los pacientes que desarrollaron fístula perianal posoperatoria tenían edad más temprana al inicio de la enfermedad, menor edad en el momento de la cirugía inicial y tenían más probabilidades de ser clasificados posteriormente como colitis indeterminada o enfermedad de Crohn. Los pacientes que desarrollaron fístulas perianales también fueron más propensos a desarrollar dehiscencia parcial o estenosis de la anastomosis ileoanal.LIMITACIONES:Este estudio abarca casi 40 años durante los cuales ha evolucionado el procedimiento quirúrgico.CONCLUSIONES:Edad temprana al inicio de la enfermedad, menor edad al momento de la cirugía, diagnóstico postoperatorio de enfermedad de Crohn y colitis indeterminada fueron los factores que se correlacionaron con las fístulas perianales. El retraso en la cicatrización de la anastomosis ileoanal con separación parcial y/o estenosis también se correlacionó con la aparición de fístulas perianales. La gravedad de la inflamación rectal en el momento de la cirugía o la presencia de anastomosis con grapas versus anastomosis manual no se correlacionó con el desarrollo de fístulas perianales. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B705.

Incidence and Factors Correlating With Incisional Hernia Following Open Bowel Resection in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Review of 1000 Patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify the incidence and factors associated with the development of incisional hernia (IH) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) undergoing open bowel resections. BACKGROUND: Predisposing factors for IH have not been well studied in patients with IBD undergoing open bowel resection. The role of duration of the disease, nutritional factors, anti-inflammatory treatment, previous operative procedures, wound infection, and other complicating factors remains unclear. METHODS: One thousand patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease were followed for a mean of 8 years after open bowel resection. The incidence of IH was recorded as well as correlating factors with the development of IH. RESULTS: The overall incidence of IH in this series was 20% (21% for ulcerative colitis and 20% for Crohn's disease). Statistically significant risk factors for development of IH were wound infection (HR 3.66, P <0.001), hypoalbuminemia (HR 2.02, P = 0.002), history of previous bowel resection (HR 1.60, P = 0.003), creation of ileostomy at the time of procedure (HR 1.53, P = 0.01), history of smoking (HR 1.52, P = 0.013), body mass index at surgery (1.036, P = 0.009), age at surgery (HR 1.021, P <0.001), and age at the onset of disease (HR 1.018, P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with IBD have a high incidence of incisional hernia after open bowel resection. Wound infection had the strongest correlation with the development of IH. The other factors were age at onset of IBD, age at surgery, body mass index, serum albumin, presence of ileostomy, previous surgical procedures, and history of smoking. Duration of disease, preoperative steroids, immunosuppressive therapy, and blood transfusion were not found to correlate with IH.

Can laparoscopic surgery prevent incisional hernia in patients with Crohn's disease: a comparison study of 750 patients undergoing open and laparoscopic bowel resection.

BACKGROUND: Incisional hernia (IH) is a frequent occurrence following open surgery for Crohn's disease (CD). This study compares the IH rates of patients with CD undergoing open versus laparoscopic bowel resection. METHODS: Seven hundred and fifty patients with CD operated by the authors at the Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, USA, were reviewed from a prospectively maintained surgical database. Five hundred patients with Crohn's disease undergoing open surgery were compared to 250 patients undergoing laparoscopic bowel resection. RESULTS: The mean duration of follow-up in the study population was 6.8 years. Patients undergoing open surgery had a significantly higher age at onset of disease, age at surgery, longer duration of disease, lower serum albumin, history of multiple previous resections, were more likely to be on steroids, needed more blood transfusions, and had an increased necessity for an ileostomy during resection. Nevertheless, the incidence of IH at 36 months was nearly identical in both groups (10.8 vs. 8.4% for open vs laparoscopic). 16% of the patients in the laparoscopic group (range: 7-20%) required conversion to open surgery. Patients undergoing laparoscopic resection that required conversion to open surgery had the highest IH rate at 18%. There was a significant correlation between IH and the length of the midline vertical extraction incision. Patients undergoing laparoscopic resection with intracorporeal anastomosis and small transverse or trocar site extraction incisions had no IH. CONCLUSIONS: A marked decrease or complete elimination of IH in patients with CD undergoing bowel resection may be possible using advanced laparoscopic techniques that require intra-abdominal anastomosis and use of the smallest transverse extraction incisions.

Outcome of incisional hernia repair in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

BACKGROUND: Incisional Hernia (IH) repair in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) has not been well studied. METHODS: Outcomes of 170 patients with IBD who underwent IH repair were included in the study. RESULTS: The incidence of recurrence after IH repair in IBD is 27%. Patients with Crohn's disease (CD) had larger defects at the time of repair, higher proportion of bowel resection and a longer postoperative stay when compared to Ulcerative colitis (UC). The only significant predictor of recurrence after IH repair was the number of previous bowel resections prior to hernia repair (HR 1.59, p < 0.01). Three cases (10%) of late onset enterocutaneous fistulas were identified in patients who underwent IH repair with synthetic mesh inlay. CONCLUSION: Surgical repair results in a recurrence of IH in 27% of patients with IBD. The number of previous bowel resections is the only factor that correlates with development of recurrent IH in IBD.

Preliminary outcomes of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in a Veterans Affairs medical center.

BACKGROUND: Preliminary results of a new bariatric surgery program in a VA Medical Center using laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). METHODS: Prospective review of the first 50 patients who underwent LSG. Percentage change in body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, serum glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profiles, and medications were recorded. RESULTS: Mean age was 52 years. Average BMI was 46 kg/m(2). There were no mortalities or staple line leaks. The percentage excess BMI loss was 47% and 54% at 6 and 12 months, respectively. After 6 months, fasting glucose level decreased from 127 to 93 mg/dL, and mean glycosylated hemoglobin decreased from 6.8% to 5.7%. At 1-year follow-up evaluation, serum cholesterol decreased from 182 to 168 mg/dL, mean triglycerides from 179 to 93 mg/dL, low-density lipoprotein from 110 to 94 mg/dL, and high-density lipoprotein increased from 42 to 50 mg/dL. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is safe and effective for morbidly obese VA patients and resulted in significant discontinuation of medication for hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia.

Use of platelet-derived growth factor for delayed perineal wound healing in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a case series.

Abdominoperineal resection (APR) is the operative procedure of choice in patients with anorectal complications of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) where a restorative proctocolectomy is either undesirable or impossible to perform. The challenge in these patients is poor perineal wound healing. A retrospective chart review was conducted of 118 patients (average age 44 years, range 28-73) with intractable IBD who underwent APR to evaluate perineal wound healing outcomes. Forty-four (44) had Crohn's disease (CD) and 74 had ulcerative colitis (UC). Three months after surgery, the wounds of 10 patients (six with CD and four with UC) remained unhealed with a standard protocol of sterile gauze dressings, sitz baths, and irrigation as needed. In these patients, daily topical application of a small amount of platelet-derived growth factor (rhPDGF) was added to the regimen of care. Six of the 10 unhealed wounds healed following rhPDGF application (average 80 days). The four patients whose wounds did not heal after 6 to 12 months had CD and underwent surgical revision followed by topical rhPDGF application. These wounds healed after an average of 107 days. The results of this case series confirm that delayed perineal wound healing is common following APR, especially in patients with CD, and may confirm previously reported observations that the effects of rhPDGF are most encouraging in small area defects that can be filled. Studies to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and effectiveness of this treatment modality are warranted.

A pilot study of male breast cancer in the Veterans Affairs healthcare system.

BACKGROUND: We report our findings on a hospital-based retrospective pilot cohort with case-controls study, which we carried out to examine genetic, environmental, and occupational risk factors in men with breast cancer. METHODS: 86 men with breast cancer were diagnosed in eight VA medical centers that agreed to collaborate on this project. A case-control analysis was conducted on a subset of the male breast cancer cases (n = 44) and age- and ethnicity-matched controls (n = 77). We compared host characteristics, comorbidities, and medications intake between cases and controls by using Chi-square analysis and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: The descriptive analysis showed that the majority of veterans with male breast cancer were non-Hispanic white (60%), older than 65 years at diagnosis (56%), and more likely estrogen receptor positive (45%). World War II veterans represented the largest group (22%), followed by the Vietnam era veterans (10%). Thirty-three percent reported a positive family history of cancer, while 18% had another primary cancer diagnosis. Prior alcohol (43%) and tobacco use (56%) was substantial among these patients. Twenty percent of patients were overweight or obese and 55% had comorbid diseases with heart disease being the most prevalent, followed by diabetes mellitus. The case-control analysis yielded a significantly greater proportion of cases with gynecomastia (p < 0.0001), a positive family history of cancer (p = 0.0028), history of antibiotic use (p = 0.0112), and history of tobacco use (p = 0.0143) compared to controls. CONCLUSION: The findings of this hospital-based pilot study indicate case-control differences in gynecomastia and family history of cancer. The pilot study lacked sufficient power to determine a true association between the variables of interest and warrants a large-scale collaborative study between the VA medical centers.

Adenocarcinoma following ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis: review of 26 cases.

The occurrence of adenocarcinoma following ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) for ulcerative colitis (UC) is an infrequent and but potentially lethal complication. We have seen 1 such case among 520 IPAAs performed in our group practice between 1978 and February 2008. We have added this case to a review of 25 previously reported cases of adenocarcinoma of the pouch or outflow tract following IPAA for UC. Our conclusions are 1) that post-IPAA cancer can occur following either mucosectomy or stapled anastomosis; 2) that this malignancy can occur after IPAA performed for UC either with or without neoplasia; and 3) that this complication is seen whether or not the initial cancer or dysplasia had involved the rectum.

Cavernous, arteriovenous, and mixed hemangioma-lymphangioma of the rectosigmoid: rare causes of rectal bleeding--case series and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Cavernous hemangiomas of the sigmoid colon and rectum are uncommon vascular malformations usually found in young adults with a long history of episodic and painless rectal bleeding. Alternatively, they may present with massive life-threatening hemorrhage. DISCUSSION: We report three cases of hemangioma of the rectosigmoid including one case of cavernous hemangioma, one case of arteriovenous hemangioma, and one case of hemangiolymphangiomatosis with emphasis on clinical presentation, radiologic, operative, and pathologic findings. Definitive treatment consists of complete resection with a sphincter-preserving procedure or abdominoperineal resection, based on extent of disease. CONCLUSION: Therapy is typically delayed by several years in these patients due to erroneous diagnosis and failed treatment of hemorrhoids and inflammatory bowel disease. Relative to hemangiomas, lymphangiomas of the rectosigmoid are even more rare and when symptomatic, present with rectal bleeding and pelvic pain.

Perineal adenocarcinoma thirty years after proctocolectomy: report of a case.

This report describes an adenocarcinoma arising in the perineum 30 years after two-stage total proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis. This is one of the longest intervals reported between resection and presentation with cancer and also the only case in which the tumor is clearly free of association with existing bowel. The mass originally presented as a perineal mucocele, an unusual complication of proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis, and this is the first such mucocele to demonstrate malignant transformation.

Superior mesenteric vein thrombosis after colectomy for inflammatory bowel disease: a not uncommon cause of postoperative acute abdominal pain.

PURPOSE: Thromboembolism is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in inflammatory bowel disease. Several prothrombotic conditions have been investigated in inflammatory bowel disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of symptomatic postoperative superior mesenteric vein thrombosis in inflammatory bowel disease patients undergoing colonic resections and to identify and characterize their clinical presentation. METHODS: Between January 1999 and December 2001, 83 consecutive patients undergoing total colectomy for inflammatory bowel disease were studied retrospectively. Patients who developed new-onset postoperative acute abdominal pain were evaluated by CT scan of the abdomen. A complete coagulation profile, including thrombin time, platelet count, protein C, protein S, antithrombin III, homocysteine level, factor V Leiden mutation, plasminogen, and prothrombin G20210A mutation, was obtained in patients diagnosed with superior mesenteric vein thrombosis. RESULTS: Four patients (4.8 percent; 3 females; 3 patients with ulcerative colitis and 1 with Crohn's colitis) developed symptomatic postoperative superior mesenteric vein thrombosis. Two of these patients had extension of the clot into the portal vein. Their presenting symptom was abdominal pain, with a median interval of ten days from the index surgery. The hematologic workup was negative in three patients, with one heterozygous for prothrombin G20210A mutation. All patients were treated with systemic anticoagulation for at least six months. One ulcerative colitis patient was diagnosed after abdominal colectomy and underwent an uneventful ileal pouch-anal anastomosis after systemic anticoagulation. CONCLUSION: Postoperative superior mesenteric vein thrombosis is a more frequent occurrence than previously reported in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Direct surgical trauma to the middle colic veins, with resulting thrombosis, is likely to be the precipitating factor in a borderline intrinsically hypercoagulable environment. All patients became asymptomatic after systemic anticoagulation and recovered uneventfully.