Rectal eversion: safe and effective way to achieve low transaction in minimally invasive Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis surgery, short- and long-term outcomes

Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis remains a gold standard in restoring continence in patient with ulcerative colitis. Achieving low transection can be challenging and may require mucosectomy with a hand-sewn anastomosis. Rectal eversion (RE) technique provides a safe and effective alternative for both open and minimally invasive approaches. The purpose of this study is to evaluate short- and long-term outcomes of patients who underwent RE when compared to those who underwent conventional trans-abdominal transection.

Total of 176 underwent proctocolectomy with creation of a J pouch and 88 (50%) had the RE technique utilized. The RE group had a higher rate of corticosteroid use at the time of surgery 59.1 versus 39.8% (p = 0.0156), but otherwise groups were statistically similar. 20 cases (26.1%) of RE group and 54 (61%) of conventional group cases were accomplished in minimally invasive fashion. There was no difference in the rates of 30- and 90-day complications. Functional outcomes data were available for up to 78.4% of patient with trans-abdominal approach and 64.7% in RE group. At 1 and 3 years after surgery, there was no difference in the number of bowel movements, fecal incontinence, or nocturnal bowel movements. The rates of returning to ileostomy or pouch revision were the same.