Emma J. Eshuis

The effect of appendectomy on the course of ulcerative colitis: a systematic review

Aim  Previous studies have shown significantly lower appendectomy rates in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients compared with healthy controls. Evidence indicating that the appendix has an immunomodulatory role in UC has been accumulating. To examine the latest evidence on the effect of appendectomy on the disease course of UC.

Infliximab for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

Infliximab (IFX), an anti-TNF biologic agent, has been demonstrated to offer benefits for the treatment of autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease. Several trials have also investigated the efficacy of IFX for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). IFX was found to be well tolerated. In most trials, IFX treatment was more effective than placebo for patients with moderate, moderate-to-severe or severe UC. However, its place in the treatment algorithms for UC remains to be defined and, to this end, clinical trials comparing IFX treatment to conventional therapies are needed.

Previous infliximab therapy and postoperative complications after proctocolectomy with ileum pouch anal anastomosis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS It is unclear whether infliximab treatment induces increased complication rates after surgery for ulcerative colitis. Aim was to compare complication rates after pouch surgery in refractory ulcerative colitis patients with versus without previous infliximab therapy. METHODS We performed a retrospective study evaluating all patients who underwent an ileoanal J-pouch for refractory ulcerative colitis over a four-year period. Postoperative complications, infliximab use and time between last infliximab administration and restorative surgery were assessed. 1-stage procedures (proctocolectomy with pouch, with or without temporary diversion) and 2-stage procedures (emergency colectomy and subsequent completion proctectomy with pouch, with or without temporary diversion) were analyzed separately. RESULTS Seventy-two patients were included; 33 underwent 1-stage procedure and 39 had 2-stage surgery. In the 1-stage group, 21 patients (64%) had previous infliximab therapy (median time between last infusion and surgery: 7.1 months (IQR 2.6-8.3)). Infliximab-treated patients had higher incidence of pelvic sepsis (5/21 vs. 0/12; risk difference 24%; 95% CI: 6 to 42, p=0.067) and non-infectious complications (8/21 vs. 1/12; risk difference 30%; 95% CI: 4 to 56, p=0.065). In the 2-stage group, 17 (44%) had previous infliximab therapy (median time between last infusion and surgery: 11.8 months (IQR 7.3-15.5)). Total, infectious, non-infectious complication rates and pelvic sepsis rates were similar for infliximab and non-infliximab patients in the 2-stage group. CONCLUSIONS This small study suggests that infliximab use prior to 1-stage restorative proctocolectomy in patients with UC is associated with increased incidence of pelvic sepsis. A 2-stage procedure in these patients should be considered.

Laparoscopic resection with transcolonic specimen extraction for ileocaecal Crohn's disease.

Ileocolic resection for Crohns disease can be performed entirely laparoscopically. However, an incision is needed for specimen extraction. This prospective observational study assessed the feasibility of endoscopic transcolonic specimen removal.

Is routine histopathological examination of appendectomy specimens useful? A systematic review of the literature

Aim  Histopathological examination of the appendix after appendectomy is routinely performed. The object of this systematic review is to determine whether routine histopathological examination of the appendix is justified.

Effects of infliximab retreatment after consecutive discontinuation of infliximab and adalimumab in refractory Crohn's disease.

Background:Switches between anti–tumor necrosis factor agents in the treatment of Crohns disease (CD) occur in case of treatment failure, intolerance, or patient preference. No data are currently available on the usefulness of a second infliximab treatment after earlier discontinuation and previous switch to an alternative anti–tumor necrosis factor agent. In this study, we evaluated the clinical benefit of infliximab retreatment in patients with CD after sequential use of both infliximab and adalimumab. Methods:Twenty-nine patients with CD who had received earlier treatments with sequential infliximab and adalimumab and were then restarted on infliximab were retrieved from a multicenter registry designed for the follow-up of adalimumab treatment for CD. Short-term and sustained effects of infliximab retreatment were evaluated retrospectively by reviewing clinical records. Follow-up was 18 months for all patients. Results:In 13/29 (45%) patients, infliximab was reintroduced at intensified dosing schedule (>5 mg/kg or <8 wk) for 23/29 (79%) of patients similar to the schedule who were on at time of previous discontinuation. During the second infliximab treatment course, dosing was further intensified in 11 out of 29 (38%) patients. After 18 months 18/29 (62%), patients were still on continued therapy of their second infliximab treatment. Infliximab was discontinued (after a median of 7 mo) in 11 out of 29 patients for loss of response (n = 7 [24%]), intolerance (n = 3 [10%]), or non-compliance (n = 1 [3%]). Use of induction schedule or concomitant immunomodulators were not significantly associated with treatment benefit. Conclusions:The majority of patients with CD benefit from a second treatment with infliximab after previous treatment with infliximab and adalimumab, which offer a meaningful therapeutic option in often highly refractory patients.

Short- and medium-term outcomes following primary ileocaecal resection for Crohn's disease in two specialist centres

Despite improvements in medical therapy, the majority of patients with Crohns disease still require surgery. The aim of this study was to report safety, and clinical and surgical recurrence rates, including predictors of recurrence, after ileocaecal resection for Crohns disease.

Anti tumour necrosis factor as risk factor for free perforations in Crohn’s disease? A case–control study

Aim  Although the occurrence of intestinal perforation in Crohn’s disease (CD) is rare, clinical observation has led to the question whether anti tumour necrosis factor (TNF) treatment is a risk factor for free perforation. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible relation between anti‐TNF treatment and occurrence of free perforation, defined as intestinal perforations leading to emergency surgery.

Decision-making in ileocecal Crohn’s disease management: surgery versus pharmacotherapy

Ileocecal Crohn’s disease (CD) can be treated medically as well as surgically. Both treatment modalities have been improved markedly in the last two decades, making CD more manageable. However, multidisciplinary research, addressing issues such as timing of surgery or medical treatment versus surgery, is scarce. Particularly in limited ileocecal CD, ileocolic resection might be a good alternative to long-term medical therapy. This review discusses the evidence on medical and surgical treatment options for ileocecal CD. It provides an aid in decision-making by discussing a treatment algorithm that can be used until further evidence on treatment is available.

Alternative specimen extraction techniques after laparoscopic emergency colectomy in inflammatory bowel disease

BackgroundOmitting the extraction site incision potentially further decreases the abdominal wall trauma in laparoscopic surgery. The purpose of this study was to report the results of alternative specimen extraction techniques after laparoscopic emergency colectomy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).MethodsTen consecutive patients with IBD underwent (sub)acute emergency colectomy for refractory disease from October 2009 until December 2010. The specimen was retrieved via the stoma site in three and transrectally in seven patients. Patient data were prospectively collected. In case of later completion proctectomy and pouch procedure, adhesions were systematically scored.ResultsThe extraction techniques were all feasible. Median operative time was 219 (interquartile range (IQR), 197–232) min. The pain scores and morphine requirement in patients decreased quickly after surgery. No infectious complications occurred. In five patients, a completion proctectomy was performed at a median time of 7 (IQR, 3.8–9.3) months after colectomy. All patients showed absence of any adhesions in the pelvis. In two patients, limited adhesions of the cut side of the mesentery were present.ConclusionsSpecimen extraction via the rectum or stoma site is a safe, alternative way to extract the specimen after laparoscopic colectomy. No infectious complications were observed postoperatively and no pelvic adhesions were found during completion proctectomy.