T. Öresland

Incidence and Characteristics of Pouchitis in the Kock Continent Ileostomy and the Pelvic Pouch

The incidence, the median time to first appearance, and the clinical pattern of pouchitis were prospectively studied in 180 patients operated on for ulcerative proctocolitis with a continent ileostomy (CI; 84 patients) and a pelvic pouch (PP; 96 patients). Median follow-up for CI patients was 8.5 years (range, 2-15 years) and for PP patients, 5 years (range, 1-8 years). Pouchitis, with symptoms severe enough to require treatment, developed in 33% (28 of 84) of CI and 47% (45 of 96) of PP patients. The cumulative risk of developing one or more episodes of pouchitis over a 5-year follow-up was 34% in CI patients and 51% in PP patients. The median time to first appearance of pouchitis was 5 and 12 months, respectively. Eighty-six per cent of CI patients with pouchitis (24 of 28) and 71% of PP patients (32 of 45) experienced their initial episode within the first 2 years. Sixty-four per cent (18 of 28) of the CI patients and 76% (34 of 45) of PP patients had one single or a few short-lasting episodes of pouchitis with various symptom-free intervals, whereas 18% of patients in each group (5 of 28 CI patients, 8 of 45 PP patients) had frequent relapses. Most of these patients responded promptly to metronidazole treatment. Eighteen per cent (5 of 28) of CI patients and 6% (3 of 45) of PP patients had long-lasting episodes with a poor response to treatment. In this long-term study the pouch inflammation proved eventually to be Crohns disease in four patients (2.2%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Long-Term Outcome After Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis: Function and Health-Related Quality of Life

PurposeThis study was designed to investigate long-term pouch function and health-related quality of life in a single, large cohort of patients with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis.MethodsData from 370 patients were included in the study. Thirty-nine patients (11 percent) did not have a functioning pouch (failures) but were included in the health-related quality of life analyses. Pouch function (Öresland score) and health-related quality of life (Short Form-36) were evaluated by postal questionnaires. A total of 88 percent of the patients with a functioning ileal pouch-anal anastomosis returned the questionnaires vs. 76 percent of the failures. Median follow-up time after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis was 15xa0years vs. 11xa0years after failure. An age-matched and gender-matched reference sample (nu2009=u2009286) was randomly drawn from the Swedish Short Form-36 database.ResultsMedian bowel frequency was six per 24xa0hours: 76 percent emptied the reservoir at night, 23 percent had urgency, 12 percent had evacuation difficulties, and 17 percent experienced soiling during the day. Fifty-two percent of the males and 32 percent of the females suffered from soiling at night. More than one-half of the patients had occasional perianal soreness, 6 percent considered the pouch to be a social handicap, and 94 percent were satisfied with their pouch. Patients with a functioning ileal pouch-anal anastomosis did not differ from the reference sample on any Short Form-36 domain, except for a reduced score in General Health (Pu2009=u20090.02). Pouch function was positively correlated to health-related quality of life. Patients with pouch failure had reduced health-related quality of life in most domains.ConclusionsPatients’ satisfaction is high and functional outcome is good after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. Poor pouch function affects health-related quality of life negatively. Patients with failure after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis are substantially limited in a variety of health-related quality of life domains.

Sexuality in patients with ulcerative colitis before and after restorative proctocolectomy: a prospective study

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess sexuality in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), before and one year after an ileal‐pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA). Methods: Group I comprised 14 medically treated patients (7 M) and Group II comprised 29 patients (18 M), operated with colectomy and ileostomy, with preservation of the rectum. Patients were interviewed about desire, excitement and general sexual satisfaction before and one year after the IPAA operation. Results: Most of the patients had restarted sexual activity ≤3 months after surgery. Sexual desire and desire for intercourse had not changed from before the IPAA operation. In Group I, one woman suffered from dyspareunia both before and after the IPAA. In Group II, three women had dyspareunia before the IPAA and four after surgery. Erection and ejaculation were normal in all men before the IPAA operation. After IPAA, one man in Group I and two men in Group II had loss of ejaculation. In Group I, 10 out of 14 patients were satisfied with their sexual life both before and after the IPAA. In Group II the corresponding figures were 15 out of 28 before and 22 after IPAA surgery. Conclusions: A third of the patients stated that they were dissatisfied with their sexual life before IPAA. Although a few patients experienced sexual imperfections such as loss of ejaculation and dyspareunia, the majority of patients in both groups considered that the overall general satisfaction with their sexual life had normalized considerably after surgery.

Long-Term Follow-up in Crohn's Disease: Mortality, Morbidity, and Functional Status

BACKGROUNDnThe purpose of this study was to analyse long-term results of an active approach to surgical treatment of Crohns disease.nnnMETHODSnOne hundred and thirty-six patients were studied after first resection for primary Crohns disease during 1968-77.nnnRESULTSnMean follow-up was 16.6 years; 18 patients had died (3 of Crohns disease). Cumulative risk for a second resection was 0.40 (95% confidence interval, 0.29-0.51) at 10 years and 0.45 (0.32-0.58) at 15 years, similar in classical disease and colitis. Cumulative risk of a third and fourth resection was 0.5 at 10 years. Median resected bowel length at the first operation was 8%. After two and three resections the cumulative resection was 23% and 33%, respectively. Of the patients 73% claimed full working capacity and 7% had disability pension.nnnCONCLUSIONSnAn active surgical approach in Crohns disease is associated with low operative mortality and morbidity and good functional results and offers good symptomatic relief.

Do Geographic and Educational Factors Influence the Quality of Life in Rectal Cancer Patients With a Permanent Colostomy

PURPOSEThis study was designed to evaluate possible social and geographic factors that could have an impact on quality of life in patients after abdominoperineal excision of the rectum. Although the number of patients with rectal cancer who need to be treated with abdominoperineal excision of the rectum and construction of permanent colostomy has greatly decreased in the past, there is still controversy about the influence on quality of life caused by this procedure.METHODSIn a prospective trial, patients operated on for low rectal cancer by abdominoperineal excision of the rectum were evaluated by a quality of life questionnaire, modified from The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons questionnaire, to assess fecal incontinence. The results for the four domains of quality of life (lifestyle, coping behavior, embarrassment, depression), as well as for subjective general health, were evaluated with regard to age, gender, education, and geographic origin in univariate and multivariate analyses.RESULTSThirteen institutions in 11 countries included data from 257 patients. Although the analysis of general health did not reveal any significant differences, the analysis of the four quality of life domains showed the significant influence of geographic origin. The presence of a permanent colostomy showed a consistently negative impact on patients in southern Europe as well as for patients of Arabic (Islamic) origin. On the other hand, age, gender, and educational status did not reveal a statistically significant influence.CONCLUSIONSThis is the first study to show the influence of geographic origin on quality of life of patients with a permanent colostomy. Possible factors that may influence the outcome of patients after surgical treatment of rectal cancer, such as weather, religion, or culture, should be taken into account when quality of life evaluations are considered.

Does smoking influence the risk of pouchitis following ileal pouch anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis

Objective. According to epidemiological studies, smoking habit is strongly associated with inflammatory bowel disease. Non-smokers, and especially recent ex-smokers, have an increased risk of ulcerative colitis (UC). Conversely, concerning Crohns disease, the risk is increased among smokers. Pouchitis is the major long-term complication of restorative proctocolectomy for UC, and seems to be pathogenetically related to this condition. The aims of this study were to test the hypothesis that smoking reduces the risk of pouchitis, and to investigate whether cessation of smoking precedes the onset of the inflammation. Material and methods. All living patients operated on for UC with proctocolectomy and ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) between November 1982 and November 1996 at Sahlgrens University Hospital were included in the study (n=410). Data concerning smoking habits and pouchitis were obtained from questionnaires and from medical records. The correlation between smoking habits and incidence of pouchitis was statistically evaluated by means of a survival test and a multivariate analysis, i.e. a Poisson model. Results. In all, 327 patients (80%) completed the questionnaires. Ninety-six (29%) of these patients had had at least one episode of pouchitis. Smoking habits during follow-up did not significantly influence the risk of pouchitis (p=0.29). Nor did smoking habits before and at the time of IPAA correlate with the incidence of pouchitis. Women had a decreased risk of pouchitis, compared to men (p=0.014). There was a non-significant tendency for smoking to increase the risk, which was more pronounced in women. Conclusions. Smoking does not decrease the risk of pouchitis following IPAA for UC, and in this respect the pathogenetic model of pouchitis, suggested to be a manifestation of UC, is not supported.

The place for colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis: a valid surgicaloption for ulcerative colitis?

AbstractBackgroundConflicting views regarding thenuse of ileorectal anastomosis (IRA) in ulcerative colitisn(UC) exist and this controversy prompted us to review ournexperience, especially against the background of the currentntendency to choose the ileal pouch-anal proceduren(IPAA).MethodsThirty-two consecutive patients withnIRA were studied. Complications, failure rate, reasons fornfailure and functional results were assessed. The mediannfollow-up time was 3.5 years.ResultsThe overall complicationnrate was 28%. The rectum was excised in 4npatients, indicating a failure rate of 12%. The mean dailynevacuation frequency was 5.6. Despite urgency occurringnin one-third of the patients, continence function was wellnpreserved.ConclusionsEmployed on a selective basis,nIRA is a safe procedure with low mortality and morbiditynand good prospects for success in many patients with UC.nThe patients must be prepared to submit to life-long rectoscopynsurveillance.

Health-Related Quality of Life and Pouch Function in Continent Ileostomy Patients: A 30-Year Perspective

PURPOSEThe principal aim of this study was to assess long-term pouch durability and health-related quality of life in an original series of patients operated on with a continent ileostomy.PATIENTSData from 68 of 88 patients who had a continent ileostomy performed at Sahlgrenska University Hospital between 1967 and 1974 were analyzed. Median age at follow-up was 60 (range, 40–89) years and median follow-up was 31 (range, 29–36) years.METHODSPatients were sent a questionnaire on pouch function along with the Short Form-36 Health Survey 2.0. A random age-matched and gender-matched sample was drawn from the Swedish national Short Form-36 Health Survey norm database to compare with the patient group.RESULTSThe majority of the patients reported good physical condition and satisfactory pouch function. Patients evacuated the pouch a median of four times every 24 hours. Twelve patients (18 percent) had leakages. Forty-four patients (65 percent) had had at least one postoperative revision to restore continence. Generally minor peristomal skin irritation occurred in seven patients (10 percent). Patients with concurrent complaints (mostly age related) reported poorer health-related quality of life. Nevertheless, 78 percent of the patients rated their overall health as good, very good, or excellent. The patients’ Short Form-36 Health Survey scores were comparable to reference values.CONCLUSIONSAlthough revisional operations may be needed to restore continence, continent ileostomy has a good durability. Pouch function was satisfactory and patients’ satisfaction was high. Health-related quality of life levels were similar to those of the general population.

Does the level of stapled ileoanal anastomosis influence physiologic and functional outcome

PURPOSE: The aim of this investigation was to ascertain how the length of anal canal preserved above the dentate line in stapled end-to-end ileoanal anastomosis influenced late outcome. METHODS: Two groups, high cuff group and low cuff group of nine subjects with stapled anastomosis, matched for sex, age, pouch configuration, and mean follow-up, representing the highest (median, 2.5 cm) and lowest (median, 0.7 cm) anal cuff lengths in our series, were selected. Physiologic and functional parameters were appraised preoperatively, at the time of ileostomy closure, and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after reestablishment of intestinal continuity. RESULTS: At one year, the drop in mean anal canal resting pressure was 13 percent in the high cuff group (not signficant) and 31 percent in the low cuff group (P<0.05); mean maximum squeezing pressure did not differ significantly from preoperative values in both groups. The mean volume of the ileal pouch was higher in the low cuff group at all insufflation pressures. The rectoanal inhibition reflex reappeared in four high cuff group patients and in none of the low cuff group patients. Mean distention pressure (cm H2O) and volume (ml) eliciting urge sensation were 80 and 360 in the low cuff group compared with 40 and 240 in the high cuff group (P⩽0.05). Daytime bowel movements and night incontinence were significantly better in the low cuff group. No statistical differences were observed for night stool frequency, daytime incontinence, pad use (day and night), discrimination between gas and feces, ability to defer evacuation, and difficulty in emptying the pouch. CONCLUSION: Patients with stapled anastomoses and a low rectal cuff length, despite presenting lower anal resting pressure and absence of rectoanal inhibition reflex, had a better functional outcome in terms of continence than those with a high cuff length.

Long-term function and manovolumetric characteristics after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis.

Long‐term pouch function and physiological characteristics after ileal pouch–anal anastomosis (IPAA) are poorly described. The aim of this study was to undertake a prospective investigation of long‐term pouch function and manovolumetric characteristics.