Faculty Bibliography

BACKGROUND:Impact of the type of anastomosis on the outcomes of re-do ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) is unknown. OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study is to assess the indications, peri-operative and functional outcomes in patients undergoing stapled vs hand-sewn re-do IPAA. DESIGN/METHODS:This is a retrospective cohort study. SETTINGS/METHODS:This investigation is based on a single-academic practice group experience on re-do IPAA. PATIENTS/METHODS:Patients who underwent re-do IPAA for ileal pouch failure between 09/2016 - 05/2020 were included in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES/METHODS:Indications, perioperative, functional outcomes, restrictions and quality of life scores were compared between stapled and hand-sewn groups. RESULTS:A total of 105 patients underwent re-do IPAA for ileal pouch failure of whom 76 (72%) had hand-sewn and 29 (28%) had stapled re-anastomosis. The interval between the index and re-do IPAA was shorter in stapled re-do IPAA [median (IQR), Stapled: 3 years (1-4) vs hand-sewn: 7 years (3-17), p<0.001]. Hand-sewn anastomosis was more commonly used after pelvic sepsis [hand-sewn: n=57 (76%) vs stapled: n=13 (45%), p=0.002]. Overall postoperative morbidity was similar between the two groups [hand-sewn: n=38 (50%) vs stapled: n=16 (55%), p=0.635]. The number of bowel movements, pad use, daily restrictions and CGQL scores were similar between stapled and hand-sewn groups. While day-time seepage was more common after hand-sewn anastomosis [hand-sewn, n=20 (44%) vs stapled, n=3 (14%), p=0.013], night-time seepage was similar in both groups. Pouch survival rates were comparable and 88% vs 92% respectively (p>0.05). LIMITATIONS/CONCLUSIONS:This study is limited by its low study power and limited follow-up time. CONCLUSIONS:Patients who had pelvic sepsis after their index IPAA required hand-sewn anastomosis at higher rate than other re-do cases. Although hand-sewn anastomosis is a more complex procedure, it was associated with similar morbidity, functional outcomes and quality of life scores compared to stapled anastomosis for re-do IPAA. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B580.

Pelvic sepsis is a dreadful complication after ileal pouch creation. It is mostly treated conservatively, and the ileal pouch can be salvaged if sepsis is detected and treated in a timely manner. Even under the best circumstances, pelvic sepsis is often associated with poor functional outcomes. If pelvic sepsis becomes chronic, it could lead to pouch failure. Redo ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is a viable option in the setting of chronic pelvic sepsis to preserve gastrointestinal continuity in motivated patients. It is associated with similar surgical morbidity, acceptable functional outcomes, and good quality of life. Patients should be involved in the decision-making process after ileal pouch failure. In the setting of ileal pouch failure, surgeons with limited experience may not be comfortable offering patients redo IPAA. Redo IPAA requires subspecialization and patients with ileal pouch failure should be treated at specialized high-volume centers.

BACKGROUND:A recent Norwegian moratorium challenged the status quo of transanal total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer reporting increased early multifocal local recurrences. OBJECTIVE:The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the local recurrence rates following transanal total mesorectal excision as well as to assess statistical, clinical, and methodological bias in reports published to date. DATA SOURCES/METHODS:The Pubmed and MEDLINE (via Ovid) databases were systematically searched. STUDY SELECTION/METHODS:Descriptive or comparative studies reporting rates of local recurrence at a median follow-up of 6 months (or more) after transanal total mesorectal excision were included. INTERVENTIONS/METHODS:Transanal total mesorectal excision. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES/METHODS:Local recurrence was any recurrence located in the pelvic surgery site. Untransformed proportion method of one-arm meta-analysis was utilized. Untransformed percent proportion with 95% confidence interval was reported. Ad-hoc meta-regression with Omnibus test was utilized to assess risk factors for local recurrence. Among-study heterogeneity was evaluated: statistical by I2 and tau2, clinical by summary tables, and methodological by a 33-item questionnaire. RESULTS:Twenty-nine studies totaling 2,906 patients were included. The pooled rate of local recurrence was 3.4% (2.7%, 4.0%) at an average of 20.1 months with low statistical heterogeneity (I2=0%). Meta-regression yielded no correlation between complete total mesorectal excision quality (p=0.855), circumferential resection margin (p=0.268), distal margin (p=0.886), and local recurrence rates. Clinical heterogeneity was substantial. Methodological heterogeneity was linked to excitement of novelty, loss aversion, reactivity to criticism, indication for transanal total mesorectal excision, non-probability sampling, circular reasoning, misclassification, inadequate follow-up, reporting bias, conflict-of-interest, and self-licensing. LIMITATIONS/CONCLUSIONS:Included studies had observational design, limited sample and follow-up. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:This systematic review found a pooled rate of local recurrence of 3.4% at 20 months. However, given the substantial clinical and methodological heterogeneity across the studies, the evidence for or against transanal total mesorectal excision is inconclusive at this time.

While current neoadjuvant protocols have proven benefits on local control for majority of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer, there are certain clinical conditions that require future advances for improving the outcomes. Total neoadjuvant therapy incorporates systemic chemotherapy planned within standard neoadjuvant protocols either before or after radiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer as a whole. Enhanced compliance with planned oncological therapy, tumour downstaging, administration of chemotherapy at the earliest time in the disease course to help assessing chemosensitivity are the proposed benefits of total neoadjuvant therapy in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Patient selection criteria for administration of total neoadjuvant therapy in the recent guidelines are unclear. Since current literature is inconclusive for the optimal sequence and type of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, premature incorporation of total neoadjuvant therapy for all locally advanced rectal cancers may result in overtreatment and subsequently toxicity. This article aims to discuss the current literature and to propose a future perspective by considering real-life scenarios reflecting patients' needs for treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer.

Ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) is gold standard surgical procedure for treatment of ulcerative colitis and majority of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis. This procedure allows preservation of fecal continence and gastrointestinal continuity. However, it is associated with a wide variety of complications, which often have nonspecific and overlapping clinical presentations, making imaging an important part of work up for pouch dysfunction. The purpose of this article is to propose structured reporting templates for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Water Soluble Contrast Enema (WSCE) in IPAA patients based on our referral pouch center's experience. Included will be a review of salient surgical technique, pouch anatomy and imaging protocols, with an emphasis on systematic search pattern for evaluation of ileal pouch complications using proposed structured reporting MRI and WSCE templates.

The robotic platform can overcome limitations of the laparoscopic approach, particularly in the facilitation of intracorporeal anastomosis creation. We aim to share our institutional experience with robotic ileocolic resection for Crohn's disease (CD) and compare it to a laparoscopic cohort. We identified patients who underwent ileocolic resection for CD with a purely robotic (R) or laparoscopic (L) approach between February 2015 and 2018. Chart review was performed and preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data was collected. A total of 47 patients with a mean age of 35.2 years old were identified and 61% were female. Seventy percent [n = 33, (23 females, 69.6%)] of the cases were performed robotically and 30% of the cases [n = 14, (6 females, 42.8%)] were performed laparoscopically. The groups were well matched for age, gender, BMI as well as disease related factors (CD duration; clinical classification and location), perioperative immunosuppression, and surgical history. Time to bowel function was shorter by about 1 day in the robotic group (R: 1.9 ± 0.88 days vs. L: 2.7 ± 0.8 days, p = 0.003). Mean operative time was longer in the robotic group by 51 min and this difference was significant (p = 0.03), however 30.3% of patients underwent ureteral stent placement, which can account for added time in robotic cases. There were less conversions in the robotic group [R: 1(4.3%) vs. L: 1(7%)], but this was not significant. There were no intraoperative complications in either group. Complication (L: 21.4% vs. R: 15.1%, p = 0.605) and reoperation rates (L: 0% vs. R: 3.03%, p = 0.429) were similar. Robotic ileocolic resection for Crohn's disease is as safe and feasible as the laparoscopic approach. This was accomplished with no leaks, major morbidity or mortality and comparable length of stay, with 1 day shorter return of bowel function, and with a lower overall complication rate. The robotic approach offers advantages in Crohn's disease which should be studied further in prospective studies.

BACKGROUND:Failed pouches may tend to be managed with only a loop ileostomy in obese patients due to some safety concerns. The effect of obesity on ileal pouch excision outcomes is poorly studied. In our study, we aimed to assess the short-term outcomes after ileal pouch excision in obese patients compared to their nonobese counterparts. METHODS:) groups. RESULTS:= .942]. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Ileal pouch excision can be performed in obese patients with largely similar outcomes compared to their nonobese counterparts although obesity is associated with a higher rate of deep space infection.