Review of long‐term complications and functional outcomes of ileoanal pouch procedures in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

Background In medically refractory Ulcerative Colitis (UC), proctocolectomy with ileoanal pouch procedure (IAPP) is the preferred continence‐preserving surgical option. Functional outcomes post‐surgery and long‐term complication rates in the biologic era remain ambiguous. This review primarily aims to provide an update on these outcomes. Secondarily, risk factors associated with chronic pouchitis and pouch failure are explored. Methods Two online databases (MEDLINE and EMBASE) were searched on 4 October 2022 for English studies from 2011‐present relating to long‐term outcomes of IAPP in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Adult patients with 12 month follow‐up were included. Studies focused on 30‐day post‐operative outcomes, non‐IBD patients or studies including less than 30 patients were excluded. Results Following screening and full‐text review of 1094 studies, 49 were included. Median sample size was n = 282 (IQR: 116–519). Median incidences for chronic pouchitis and pouch failure were 17.1% (IQR: 12–23.6%) and 6.9% (IQR: 4.8–10.8%), respectively. Upon multivariate analysis, chronic pouchitis development was most significantly associated with pre‐operative steroid use, pancolitis and extra‐intestinal IBD manifestations, whilst pouch failure was most significantly associated with pre‐operative diagnosis of Crohn's disease (compared to UC), peri‐operative pelvic sepsis and anastomotic leak. Overall patient satisfaction was very high with four included studies reporting greater than 90% satisfaction rates. Conclusion Long‐term complications for IAPP were common. However, despite this, patient satisfaction post‐IAPP was high. Up‐to‐date knowledge of complication rates and their risk factors improves pre‐operative counselling, management planning and patient outcomes.

Surgical treatment of inflammatory bowel disease: From the gastroenterologist’s stand-point

“…In a recent review, Hassan et al [ 34 ] studied the functional postoperative outcomes as well as the type and impact of complications during long-term follow-up of patients with IBD. The data from 49 studies finally included in the study were analyzed.…”

“…The study also highlighted the long-term complications with the main representative being the multiple bowel movements per day. Despite all this, and given the high rate of long-term patient satisfaction, the gastroenterologist should recommend the operation after adequately informing the patient and his relatives regarding the long-term effects of the operation[ 34 ].…”