[A case of ulcerative colitis complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation that improved markedly after surgery].

A 57-year-old man presenting with severe ulcerative colitis (UC) complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) was referred to our hospital. Since it was difficult to improve DIC immediately with any medical treatment, total proctocolectomy, ileoanal canal anastomosis, and ileostomy were performed on the patient. Soon after the surgery, his platelet count and coagulability improved, and he recovered from DIC. Thus, when the cause of DIC is probably UC itself, and medical treatment has limited efficacy in improving the DIC, surgery should be performed as soon as possible to eliminate the cause of DIC, considering the general condition of the patient.

Endoscopic Lesions of Postoperative Anastomotic Area in Patients With Crohn's Disease in the Biologic Era: A Japanese Multi-Centre Nationwide Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Many patients have endoscopic evidence of recurrent Crohn's disease [CD] at 1 year after intestinal resection. These lesions predict future clinical recurrence. We endoscopically evaluated postoperative anastomotic lesions in CD patients from a large cohort of postoperative CD patients. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled CD patients who underwent surgical resection between 2008 and 2013 at 19 inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]-specialist institutions. The initial analyses included patients who underwent ileocolonoscopy ~1 year after intestinal resection. Follow-up analyses assessed any changes in the endoscopic findings over time. We evaluated the postoperative endoscopic findings, which were classified into four categories [no lesion, mild, intermediate, severe] at the sites of the anastomotic line and peri-anastomosis. RESULTS: In total, 267 CD patients underwent postoperative ileocolonoscopy. Postoperative anastomotic lesions were widely detected in index ileocolonoscopy [61.0%] and were more frequently detected in follow-up ileocolonoscopy [74.9%]. Endoscopic severity also increased. Patients with intermediate or severe peri-anastomotic or anastomotic line lesions at the index ileocolonoscopy required significantly more interventions, including endoscopic dilatation or surgery, than patients with mild lesions or no lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Frequent anastomotic lesions were observed at the postoperative index ileocolonoscopy. These gradually increased for subsequent ileocolonoscopy, even in the biologic era. Regarding lesions on the anastomotic line, intermediate lesions on the anastomotic line [e.g. irregular or deep ulcers] might be considered recurrent disease, and mild lesions [e.g. linear superficial ulcers] might be considered non-recurrent disease. Prospective studies are needed to resolve this issue, including treatment enhancement.

Impact of the body mass index on the retention of the anorectal mucosa after double-stapled ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: Double-stapled ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (DS-IPAA) is easy to construct and has a good functional outcome in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). However, retention of the anorectal mucosa may lead to a subsequent risk of inflammation and neoplasia. This study aimed to identify factors associated with the retention of a large amount of anorectal mucosa after DS-IPAA. METHODS: The medical records of 163 patients who had undergone one-stage total proctocolectomy and DS-IPAA for UC between 2007 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups according to the length of the retained mucosa. The high anastomosis group was defined as having a retained mucosal length of ≥ 30 mm in the anterior or posterior wall. Clinical factors were compared between the high and low anastomosis groups. RESULTS: The high anastomosis group showed a significantly higher body mass index (BMI) (high vs. low: 23.2 vs. 19.0), longer operation time (304 vs. 263) and greater blood loss (357 vs. 240). In the multivariate analysis, high BMI was the only factor significantly associated with high anastomosis (odds ratio 1.32). There was a positive correlation between BMI and the length of the retained mucosa. CONCLUSIONS: In DS-IPAA, BMI showed the strongest association with the retention of a large amount of the anorectal mucosa. In high BMI patients, although the risk of inability of anastomosis is little than that of IPAA with mucosectomy, the possible retention of a large amount of mucosa should be considered.

[Surgical treatment for ulcerative colitis in patients over 70 years of age].

The clinical course of 104 patients with ulcerative colitis who underwent primary surgery at ≥70 years was retrospectively examined. Pre- and postoperative patient conditions determined the choice of surgical procedure. Approximately half of the patients underwent restorative proctocolectomy, resulting in relatively good defecation function. In addition, the long-term outcomes of patients who underwent permanent ileostomy were favorable. However, the postoperative complication and mortality rates were high in all patients, including those with low preoperative performance status due to long-term hospitalization. In this patient population, surgery should be conducted before decreased performance status due to long-term hospitalization.

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.

Management of Pouch Neoplasia.

BACKGROUND: Pouch neoplasia occurs following ileal pouch-anal anastomosis, with or without mucosectomy in ulcerative colitis and familiar adenomatous polyposis. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to review available literature and make recommendations regarding pouch neoplasia. DATA SOURCES: Data were collected from specialty hospitals, and a literature review was conducted due to the lack of published large-scale studies. Recommendations for treatment were made based on the literature review and expert opinions. STUDY SELECTION: Large-scale studies of pouch neoplasia were selected. INTERVENTION: The intervention was studies with details of pouch neoplasia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We aimed to identify the management modalities for pouch neoplasia based on the type. RESULTS: Pouch neoplasia can occur in each component of the pouch-afferent limb, pouch body, cuff, and anal transitional zone. In patients with ulcerative colitis, pouch neoplasia is treated because colitis-associated neoplasia comprises a multifocal lesion, which most commonly involves the cuff and anal transitional zone. Close surveillance or endoscopic complete resection is optimal for low-grade dysplasia. For adenocarcinoma, high-grade dysplasia, and low-grade dysplasia with difficult complete resection, pouch excision is recommended. In familiar adenomatous polyposis patients with adenomas of the afferent limb or pouch body, endoscopic resection is optimal. Endoscopic resection is feasible for discrete adenoma in the cuff and anal transitional zone, and surgical excision is optimal for laterally spreading, extensive, large, or flat adenoma. For adenocarcinomas involving any component, pouch excision is recommended. LIMITATIONS: Published large-scale studies were lacking because of disease rarity. CONCLUSION: Pouch neoplasia occurs in each pouch component. In patients with ulcerative colitis, pouch excision is recommended for adenocarcinomas and high-grade dysplasia, whereas endoscopic intervention may be preferable to low-grade dysplasia. In familiar adenomatous polyposis patients, pouch excision is necessary for adenocarcinoma, and endoscopic resection or excisional surgery is optimal for adenoma.

A review on the current status and definitions of activity indices in inflammatory bowel disease: how to use indices for precise evaluation.

Many clinical trials have been conducted for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), so various clinical indices (CIs) and endoscopic indices (EIs) have also been evaluated. However, recently, with the progress of IBD management, review of established indices from previous studies, and establishment of new indices, the landscape of the use of indices in clinical trials have changed. We investigated the number and frequency of the indices adapted in recent clinical trials for ulcerative colitis (CI and EI) and Crohn's disease (CI, EI, index related to magnetic resonance imaging, index for evaluating patient-reported outcomes, and health-related quality of life). Based on the results, we selected representative indices and further reviewed their content and characteristics. Moreover, various definitions, including clinical and endoscopic response or remission, have been described by means of representative indices in clinical trials.

Postoperative complications, bowel function, and prognosis in restorative proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis-a single-center observational study of 320 patients.

PURPOSE: To determine the selection criteria, postoperative complications, bowel function, and prognosis of stapled ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) and hand-sewn IPAA for ulcerative colitis (UC). METHODS: We defined our surgical indications and strategy, and compared the postoperative complications, bowel function, and prognoses between patients who underwent stapled and hand-sewn IPAA for UC at the Yokohama City University Medical Center between 2004 and 2017. RESULTS: Among 320 patients enrolled, 298 patients underwent stapled IPAA while 22 underwent hand-sewn IPAA. There was no significant difference in the postoperative complications between the two groups. Regarding postoperative bowel function, stapled IPAA caused significantly less soiling (stapled vs hand-sewn: 9.1% vs 41.0%, odds ratio (OR) = 0.14, p < 0.0002), spotting (stapled vs hand-sewn: 23.2% vs 63.6%, OR = 0.17, p < 0.0001), and difficulty in distinguishing feces from flatus (stapled vs hand-sewn: 39.9% vs 63.6%, OR = 0.36, p < 0.026). No postoperative neoplasia was observed at the final follow-up in all patients. CONCLUSION: In this study, there was no clear difference in the postoperative complications between stapled and hand-sewn IPAA, but stapled IPAA resulted in better postoperative bowel function. Postoperative oncogenesis from the residual mucosa is rare. However, future cancer risk remains; thus, careful follow-up is required.

[A case of a patient with Crohn's disease who had vaginal delivery after abdominoperineal resection for severe anorectal complications].

We report the case of a young female patient with Crohn's disease case who had vaginal delivery after abdominoperineal resection for severe perianal disease. The patient had Crohn's disease with anorectal complications for 13 years and underwent abdominoperineal resection for anorectal stenosis, complex anal fistula, and rectovaginal fistula in her early twenties. Seven years later, she got pregnant and gave birth to a healthy boy by vaginal delivery. No recurrence of Crohn's disease was observed during the perinatal period. There is no curative treatment for severe anorectal complications, which may be necessary for young patients to undergo abdominoperineal resection. Further studies are needed to determine the effects of Crohn's disease with anorectal complications on pregnancy and childbirth in affected patients.

[Pregnancy and delivery in patients with Crohn's disease who had a history of abdominal surgery].

OBJECTIVE: A few studies have focused on pregnancy and childbirth in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) who had a history of abdominal surgery. The objective of this study is to analyze the problems of pregnant patients with CD with a history of abdominal surgery. METHODS: The rates of pregnancy-related complications and adverse birth outcomes were retrospectively analyzed in 29 patients with CD (45 pregnancies) with previous intestinal surgery. RESULTS: In this study, the following outcomes were observed:normal births occurred in 55.6% of the pregnancies, preterm births in 13.3%, and spontaneous abortions in 20.0%. The vaginal birth and cesarean section rates were 45.7% and 40.0%, respectively. The rate of low-birth weight infants was 14.3%. CONCLUSION: Overall, patients with CD with previous abdominal surgery can conceive and give birth. However, care needs to be taken to avoid preterm birth, spontaneous abortion, low birth weight, and cesarean delivery.

Subtotal colectomy for refractory ulcerative colitis with COVID-19 infection; a first case report in Japan.

We report a 60-year-old male who was transferred to our hospital for the operation because of refractory ulcerative colitis (UC). He was diagnosed to be infected with COVID-19 for SARS-CoV-2 PCR test positive at the time of transfer. We determined emergency operation because his general condition was poor such as malnutrition and ADL decline due to exacerbation of UC and air embolization by central venous catheter removal. He underwent subtotal colectomy with a sigmoid mucous fistula and ileostomy. He was well postoperatively. This is a first case report in Japan who underwent an operation for UC with COVID-19 infection.

[Preoperative diagnosis of small intestinal cancer associated with Crohn's disease: a case report].

The patient was a 46-year-old woman with a history of Crohn's disease for several years. At 45 years of age, a colonoscopy was performed, and a protruding lesion in the terminal ileum was detected. Pathological analysis of a biopsy specimen noted high suspicion for a well differentiated adenocarcinoma. The patient underwent ileocecal resection, and histological examination of the specimen revealed that infiltration of the well differentiated adenocarcinoma was limited to the mucosa. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first known case of early small intestinal cancer associated with Crohn's disease in Japan. Both endoscopy and a biopsy of any protruding lesions may be useful for making a preoperative diagnosis of small intestinal cancer associated with Crohn's disease.

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.

[Familial adenomatous polyposis with papillary thyroid cancer:a case report].

The patient is 36-year-old woman who complained of proptosis and was diagnosed as thyroid cancer. The pathologic diagnosis of her resected specimen was papillary thyroid cancer, cribriform morular variant (CMV). Subsequently, she was suspected of having familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), although she had no family history of it. The diagnosis of FAP was confirmed following colonoscopy, which showed multiple polyps, and the biopsies that revealed multiple adenomas and cancers with APC gene mutation. She underwent restorative proctocolectomy, rectal mucosectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis, and ileostomy in our department. Cancer in the adenomas was found in four polyps on histopathological examination. CMV is known to be complicated with FAP. However, the number of reported cases remains few. This case was relatively rare, with an initial diagnosis of FAP because of the coexistence of CMV. In patients with papillary thyroid cancer (CMV type), colonoscopy should be considered because of the possibility of FAP.

[A case of ulcerative colitis complicated by internal fistula between the transverse colon and stomach].

A case of ulcerative colitis (UC) with an internal fistula was reported;the patient, a 42-year-old male, was admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of refractory UC. The preoperative examination revealed an internal fistula between the transverse colon and the stomach. UC was diagnosed preoperatively with an internal fistula, but the possibility of Crohn's disease could not be ruled out at that time. The patient underwent subtotal colectomy with end ileostomy, sigmoid colon mucous fistula, and partial gastrectomy. UC was diagnosed histopathologically, and an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis was performed. An internal fistula can complicate UC;a split surgery is recommended with the possibility of Crohn's disease in the patient.

Evidence-based diagnosis and clinical practice guidelines for intestinal Behçet's disease 2020 edited by Intractable Diseases, the Health and Labour Sciences Research Grants.

Behçet's disease (BD) is an intractable systemic inflammatory disease characterized by four main symptoms: oral and genital ulcers and ocular and cutaneous involvement. The Japanese diagnostic criteria of BD classify intestinal BD as a specific disease type. Volcano-shaped ulcers in the ileocecum are a typical finding of intestinal BD, and punched-out ulcers can be observed in the intestine or esophagus. Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors were first approved for the treatment of intestinal BD in Japan and have been used as standard therapy. In 2007 and 2014, the Japan consensus statement for the diagnosis and management of intestinal BD was established. Recently, evidence-based JSBD (Japanese Society for BD) Clinical Practice Guidelines for BD (Japanese edition) were published, and the section on intestinal BD was planned to be published in English. Twenty-eight important clinical questions (CQs) for diagnosis (CQs 1-6), prognosis (CQ 7), monitoring and treatment goals (CQs 8-11), medical management and general statement (CQs 12-13), medical treatment (CQs 14-22), and surgical treatment (CQs 23-25) of BD and some specific situations (CQs 26-28) were selected as unified consensus by the members of committee. The statements and comments were made following a search of published scientific evidence. Subsequently, the levels of recommendation were evaluated based on clinical practice guidelines in the Medical Information Network Distribution Service. The degree of agreement was calculated using anonymous voting. We also determined algorithms for diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for intestinal BD. The present guidelines will facilitate decision making in clinical practice.

[A case of ulcerative colitis in an 86-year-old woman undergoing restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal canal anastomosis].

An 86-year-old woman was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC) in the 1970s. A colonoscopy performed 40 years thereafter revealed a 0-Is lesion in the upper rectum, and pathological examination showed well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. The lesion was diagnosed as colitic cancer based on the pathological findings and the 40-year interval since the diagnosis of total colitis type of UC. The patient was in good overall health with good anal function, based on the clinical examination and manometric study;she wished to undergo sphincter-preserving operation. Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal canal anastomosis that preserved the anal canal mucosa was performed. The postoperative course was good, with a defecation frequency of 4-5 times/day without fecal incontinence, and the patient resumed her preoperative lifestyle with very few alterations. Even in elderly patients aged >80 years who have UC, restorative proctocolectomy is feasible for those in good general health and with relatively good anal function, determined based on the daily defecation activity and anal manometry.

Rate of Reoperation Decreased Significantly After Year 2002 in Patients With Crohn's Disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Patients with Crohn's disease (CD) can require multiple intestinal surgeries. We examined time trends and risk factors for reoperation in patients with CD who underwent intestinal surgery, focusing on the effects of postoperative medical treatments. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 1871 patients with CD who underwent initial intestinal resection at 10 tertiary care institutions in Japan, with an initial surgical date after May 1982. We collected data on the background characteristics of all patients, including Montreal Classification, smoking status, and medical therapy after surgery (tumor necrosis factor antagonists [anti-TNF] agents or immunomodulators). The primary outcome was requirement for first reoperation. Rate of reoperation was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and risk factors for reoperation were identified using the Cox regression model. RESULTS: The overall cumulative 5- and 10-year reoperation rates were 23.4% and 48.0%, respectively. Multivariable analysis showed that patients who underwent the initial surgery after May 2002 had a significantly lower rate of reoperation than patients who underwent surgery before April 2002 (hazard ratio [HR], 0.72; 95% CI, 0.61-0.86). Preoperative smoking (HR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.18-1.68), perianal disease (HR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.27-1.77), and ileocolic type of CD (HR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.20-1.69) were significant risk factors for reoperation. Postoperative use of immunomodulators (HR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.44-0.81) and anti-TNF therapy (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.57-0.88) significantly reduced the risk. Anti-TNF was effective in the bionaive subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of reoperation in patients with CD significantly decreased after May 2002. Postoperative use of anti-TNF agents might reduce the reoperation rate for bionaive patients with CD.

Two cases of esophageal ulcer after surgical treatment for ulcerative colitis.

The incidence of postoperative esophageal ulcers has been rarely reported associated with severe ulcerative colitis (UC). We report two cases of esophageal ulcers accompanied by acute necrotizing esophagitis after undergoing surgery for severe UC. Both patients, 47- and 53-year-old, were diagnosed with severe UC and underwent subtotal colectomy with sigmoid mucous fistula and ileostomy. In both cases, they had epigastralgia or digestive track bleeding and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed an esophageal ulcer with acute necrotizing esophagitis accompanied by a black degeneration of mucosa after surgery. Conservative treatments improved the lesions. Esophageal stricture requiring endoscopic dilatation occurred in both cases. An acute UC requiring surgery seems to warrant caution in the merger of esophageal ulcer and acute necrotizing esophagitis.

Correction to: Management of elderly ulcerative colitis in Japan.

Management of elderly ulcerative colitis in Japan.