Published in:
01-12-2024 | Proctitis | Short Communication
Redo IPAA for long rectal cuff syndrome after ileoanal pouch for inflammatory bowel disease
Published in: Techniques in Coloproctology | Issue 1/2024
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Background
When constructing an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA), the rectal cuff should ideally be 1–2 cm long to avoid subsequent complications.
Methods
We identified patients from our IBD center who underwent redo IPAA for a long rectal cuff. Long rectal cuff syndrome (LRCS) was defined as a symptomatic rectal cuff ≥ 4 cm.
Results
Forty patients met the inclusion criteria: 42.5% female, median age at redo surgery 42.5 years. The presentation was ulcerative proctitis in 77.5% of the cases and outlet obstruction in 22.5%. The index pouch was laparoscopically performed in 18 patients (45%). The median rectal cuff length was 6 cm. The pouch was repaired in 16 (40%) cases, whereas 24 (60%) required the creation of a neo-pouch. At the final pathology, the rectal cuff showed chronic active colitis in 38 (90%) cases. After a median follow-up of 34.5 (IQR 12–109) months, pouch failure occurred in 9 (22.5%) cases. The pouch survival rate was 78% at 3 years. Data on the quality of life were available for 11 (27.5%) patients at a median of 75 months after redo surgery. The median QoL score (0–1) was 0.7 (0.4–0.9).
Conclusion
LRCS, a potentially avoidable complication, presents uniformly with symptoms of ulcerative proctitis or stricture. Redo IPAA was restorative for the majority.