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INTRODUCTION: Many pouch complications following ileoanal pouch surgery have an inflammatory or mechanical nature, and specialist colorectal surgeons are required to assess the anatomy of the ileoanal pouch in multiple settings. In this study, we report our stepwise clinical and endoscopic assessment of the patient with an ileoanal pouch. METHODS: The most common configuration of the ileoanal pouch is a J-pouch, and the stapled anastomosis is more frequently performed than a handsewn post-mucosectomy. A structured clinical and endoscopic assessment of the ileoanal pouch must provide information on 7 critical areas: anus and perineum, rectal cuff, pouch anal anastomosis, pouch body, blind end of the pouch, pouch inlet and pre-pouch ileum. RESULTS: We have developed a structured pro forma for step-wise assessment of the ileoanal pouch, according to 7 essential areas to be evaluated, biopsied and reported. The structured assessment of the ileoanal pouch in 102 patients allowed reporting of abnormal findings in 63 (61.7%). Strictures were diagnosed in 27 patients (26.4%), 3 pouch inlet strictures, 21 pouch anal anastomosis strictures, and 3 pre-pouch ileum strictures. Chronic, recurrent pouchitis was diagnosed in 9 patients, whilst 1 patient had Crohn's disease of the pouch. CONCLUSIONS: Detailed clinical history, assessment of symptoms and multidisciplinary input are all essential for the care of patients with an ileoanal pouch. We present a comprehensive reporting pro forma for initial clinical assessment of the patient with an ileoanal pouch, with the aim to guide further investigations and inform multidisciplinary decision-making.

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AIM: Appropriate patient selection, surgical technique, and follow-up pathways can provide optimal functional outcomes and good quality of life in many patients undergoing ileoanal pouch surgery. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the standardised approach to ileoanal pouch formation that we have developed in our pouch surgery centre. METHODS: We developed a structured approach to laparoscopic proctectomy with ileoanal pouch anastomosis formation, divided into 10 different steps. All patients referred to our centre from January 2020 to December 2022 for ulcerative colitis were included in the study. RESULTS: A total of 38 consecutive patients underwent ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) surgery. All procedures were completed laparoscopically with one conversion to open (2.6%). A total of 13 patients had postoperative complications within 30 days of surgery (34.2%), with six (15.8%) being Clavien Dindo class 3 or higher. Median follow-up length was 18 months (range 2-30). Median number of bowel movements in 24 h at 12 months post-surgery was 4 (range 1-11). CONCLUSIONS: Our modular 10 steps approach could provide a standardised framework to surgeons in the learning curve. IPAA is a complex surgical procedure with significant postoperative morbidity. Our stepwise approach resulted in a high rate of minimally invasive surgery and could facilitate introduction of the technique.

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BACKGROUND: The prognostic significance of histology in ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate if histologic variables are predictive of IPAA clinical outcomes and healthcare utilization. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with IPAA undergoing surveillance pouchoscopy at a tertiary care institution. Pouch body biopsies were reviewed by gastrointestinal pathologists, who were blinded to clinical outcomes, for histologic features of acute or chronic inflammation. Charts were reviewed for clinical outcomes including development of acute pouchitis, chronic pouchitis, biologic or small molecule initiation, hospitalizations, and surgery. Predictors of outcomes were analyzed using univariable and multivariable logistic and Cox regression. RESULTS: A total of 167 patients undergoing surveillance pouchoscopy were included. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (odds ratio [OR], 1.67), ulceration and erosion (OR, 2.44), chronic inflammation (OR, 1.97), and crypt distortion (OR, 1.89) were associated with future biologic or small molecule initiation for chronic pouchitis. Loss of goblet cells was associated with development of chronic pouchitis (OR, 4.65). Pyloric gland metaplasia was associated with hospitalizations (OR, 5.24). No histologic variables were predictive of development of acute pouchitis or surgery. In an exploratory subgroup analysis of new IPAA (<1 year), loss of goblet cells was associated with acute pouchitis (OR, 14.86) and chronic pouchitis (OR, 12.56). Pyloric gland metaplasia was again associated with hospitalizations (OR, 13.99). CONCLUSIONS: Histologic findings may be predictive of IPAA outcomes. Pathologists should incorporate key histologic variables into pouchoscopy pathology reports. Clinicians may need to more closely monitor IPAA patients with significant histologic findings.

In this retrospective cohort study, histologic variables of acute and chronic inflammation were associated with future development of chronic pouchitis, need for biologic or small molecule treatment for chronic pouchitis, and hospitalization.

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Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a rare syndrome caused by adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene mutation resulting in the development of hundreds of adenomatous colorectal polyps. The disease process usually manifests fully by the second decade of life. Total colectomy or restorative proctocolectomy is often required to prevent the development of colorectal adenocarcinoma. Routine surveillance following surgery is critical for the early detection of polyps or malignancy. We present a rare case of a 31-year-old male with a history of FAP status post total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) who presented with acute exacerbation of lower back pain and new-onset lower extremity paresthesia. Imaging demonstrated an aggressive T12 vertebral body lesion. Pathology following laminectomy demonstrated metastatic adenocarcinoma. Subsequent pouchoscopy revealed a distal 1.5-cm pedunculated lesion arising from remnant rectal tissue with pathology confirming moderately differentiated rectal adenocarcinoma. This patient underwent a prophylactic proctocolectomy 20 years prior to this admission but was lost to follow-up prior to any endoscopic evaluations. Despite postoperative surveillance guidelines and patient counseling, follow-up and recommended endoscopic evaluation are often inadequate. This case examines potential socioeconomic factors influencing the completion of surveillance endoscopy and also represents an opportunity to incorporate education and provide resources to patients with FAP to improve surveillance examinations and mitigate the development of preventable malignancies.

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PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis has been associated with multiple short- and long-term complications. In this review, we examine the role of biomarkers, imaging, and pouchoscopy in the assessment of patients after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis, with a particular focus on the emergence of novel biomarkers and techniques for evaluating and risk stratifying patients after this procedure in the hopes of improving outcomes in this specific population. RECENT FINDINGS: There are indications that that the incidence of pouchitis may be increasing in recent decades. Calprotectin and other non-invasive imaging tests such as ultrasound may offer advantages in distinguishing patients with inflammatory conditions of the pouch from other etiologies. In the search for other biomarkers that may identify patients at risk for inflammatory conditions of the pouch, the stool microbiota and metabolomics may play a key role in identifying those patients at greatest risk for complications. Advances in biomarkers, imaging, and standardized pouchoscopy scoring offer immediate improvements in clinical care and will prompt future research efforts.

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BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In symptomatic patients with ileoanal pouches, pouchoscopy is needed for accurate diagnosis but is invasive. We aimed to assess the utility of non-invasive gastrointestinal ultrasound and faecal calprotectin in ileoanal pouch patients. METHODS: Patients with an ileoanal pouch were consecutively enrolled in this cross-sectional study from clinics in Victoria, Australia. The pouchitis disease activity index was used as a reference standard. Video-recorded pouchoscopies were reviewed by three gastroenterologists. Pouch, pre-pouch, and cuff biopsies were reviewed by a single pathologist. Ultrasound was performed by a single gastroenterologist transabdominally and transperineally. Faecal calprotectin was measured from morning stool samples. All examiners were blinded to patients' clinical history. RESULTS: A total of 44 participants had a pouchoscopy, of whom 43 had a faecal calprotectin test and 42 had an ultrasound; 17 had pouchitis, 15 had pre-pouch ileitis, and 16 had cuffitis. Pouch wall thickness of <3 mm was 88% sensitive in excluding pouchitis, and pouch wall thickness of ≥4 mm was 87% specific in diagnosing pouchitis. Transabdominal ultrasound had good utility [area under the curve: 0.78] in diagnosing moderate-severe pre-pouch ileitis. Transperineal ultrasound had good utility for the diagnosis of pouchitis [area under the curve: 0.79]. Faecal calprotectin differentiated inflammatory from non-inflammatory pouch disorders, such as irritable pouch syndrome, with an area under the curve of 0.90. Faecal calprotectin <100 µg/g ruled out inflammatory pouch disorders with a sensitivity of 94%. CONCLUSIONS: Faecal calprotectin and ultrasound are accurate and complementary tests to diagnose and localise inflammation of the ileoanal pouch. Prospective studies are needed to validate proposed sonographic indices and calprotectin levels.

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BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Currently used endoscopic items for the assessment of pouchitis and cuffitis have deficiencies in reliability and validation. We assessed the reliability and accuracy of new endoscopic items for pouchitis and of the Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index of Severity [UCEIS] for cuffitis. METHODS: Three new endoscopic items were assessed and included in the Monash pouchitis endoscopic subscore: bleeding [absent/contact/spontaneous]; erosions [absent/<10/≥10]; and ulceration [absent/<10%/≥10%]. Three raters evaluated 44 pouchoscopy videos in duplicates, in random order. Intra- and inter-rater reliability of all endoscopic items and UCEIS were assessed. Clinical and histological pouchitis disease activity index [PDAI] subscores were also assessed and faecal calprotectin was measured. RESULTS: All three Monash endoscopic items had substantial intra-rater reliability with intraclass correlation coefficients [ICCs] >0.61 [95% CI >0.61], compared with only ulcers from the currently used PDAI endoscopic subscore, but inter-rater reliability was only substantial for ulceration and no better than those of the currently used endoscopic items. The Monash endoscopic subscore had a strong positive correlation with the reference standard global endoscopic lesion severity r = 0.80 [95% CI 0.80-0.80] and the reference standard PDAI endoscopic subscore r = 0.70 [95% CI 0.67-0.73], which was higher than the correlation observed for the currently used PDAI endoscopic subscore. The UCEIS had substantial intra-rater reliability, but only fair inter-rater reliability and poor diagnostic performance for cuffitis. CONCLUSIONS: The Monash endoscopic items, and endoscopic subscore they generate, have enhanced overall performance compared with the currently used PDAI items and subscore. Further validation and responsiveness to change in disease state are indicated.

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PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the standard restorative procedure after proctocolectomy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease who require colectomy. The ileal pouch is susceptible to a variety of adverse outcomes including mechanical insult, ischemia, and infectious agents. There is also a risk for developing low-grade dysplasia (LGD), high-grade dysplasia (HGD), or even adenocarcinoma in the pouch. The purpose of this review is to highlight risk factors, clinical presentation, surveillance, and treatment of pouch neoplasia. RECENT FINDINGS: Patients with pre-colectomy colitis-associated neoplasia are at high risk for developing pouch neoplasia. Other purported risk factors include the presence of family history of colorectal cancer, the presence of concurrent primary sclerosing cholangitis, chronic pouchitis, cuffitis, or Crohn's disease of the pouch. Pouch adenocarcinoma tends to have a poor prognosis. It is recommended to have a combined clinical, endoscopic, and histologic approach in diagnosis and management. Surveillance and management algorithms of pouch neoplasia are proposed, based on the risk stratification.

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BACKGROUND/AIMS: Variation in quality of reporting on endoscopic procedures is a common clinical problem. Findings are not documented in a standardised manner and there is a tendency towards reporting abnormal findings only. This study aimed to review quality of flexible pouchoscopy reports and to develop a standardised reporting template. METHODS: Ileo-anal-pouch experts (n=5) compiled a list of items that should be documented at flexible pouchoscopy. Reports were reviewed retrospectively for their completeness compared with the template. The template was then introduced and quality of reports was analysed prospectively. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-one reports produced between March 2015 and June 2015 were reviewed. Between August 2015 and November 2015, the template was introduced and reports were analysed. There was significant improvement in documentation of anus and perianal area (before template (B) 12% to after template (A) 51%, p<0.0001), rectal cuff (B: 55% to A: 75%, p=0.01), pouch-anal anastomosis (B: 37% to A: 67%, p=0.0002) and pouch inlet (B: 13% to A: 41%, p<0.0001). Pouch body was described in high percentage regardless of introduction of the template (B: 98% to A: 97%, p=0.61). CONCLUSIONS: Documentation of pouchoscopy findings was suboptimal and introduction of a template improved documentation of flexible pouchoscopy significantly.

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BACKGROUND: Creation of a J pouch is the gold standard surgical intervention in the treatment of chronic ulcerative colitis (UC). Pouchoscopy prior to ileostomy takedown is commonly performed. We describe the frequency, indication, and findings on pouchoscopy, and determine if pouchoscopy affects rates of complications after takedown. METHODS: All UC or indeterminate inflammatory bowel disease patients with a J pouch were retrospectively evaluated from January 1994 to December 2014. Cases were defined as having routine (asymptomatic) pouchoscopy after pouch creation but before ileostomy takedown. Controls were defined as having no pouchoscopy or pouchoscopy on the same day as that of takedown. RESULTS: The study included 178 patients (81.5% cases, 18.5% controls). Fifty two percent of pouchoscopies were reported as normal. Common abnormal endoscopy findings included stricture (35%), pouchitis (7%), and cuffitis (0.7%). Length of stay during takedown hospitalization was shorter for cases than controls (3 vs. 5 days; p = 0.001), but neither short- nor long-term complications were statistically different between cases and controls. Abnormalities on pouchoscopy were not predictive for short-term complications (p = 0.73) or long-term complications (p = 0.55). Routine pouchoscopy did not delay takedown surgery in any of the included patients. CONCLUSIONS: Routine pouchoscopy may not be necessary prior to ileostomy takedown; its greatest utility is in patients with suspected pouch complications.

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Introduction Restorative proctocolectomy (RP) is undertaken for patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and ulcerative colitis, but is associated with a risk of anastomotic leak. Case history A 20-year-old male with a family history of FAP had a RP with a double-stapled J-pouch and covering loop ileostomy. At ileostomy reversal 21 months later, he presented with significant anal bleeding. He proceeded to theatre for endoscopy. Pouchoscopy showed a pouch full of blood and a foreign object trapped in a diverticulum. The foreign object (an undigested tablet) was removed with grasping forceps and the bleeding spot identified. Hemospray® (Cook Medical, Winston-Salem, NC, USA) was deployed in the bleeding cavity to enable immediate control of haemorrhage. Recovery was uneventful and he was discharged home 72 hours later. Conclusions This case: (i) demonstrates a successful and novel method of controlling haemorrhage not amenable to use of conventional haemostatic mechanisms; (ii) highlights the potential problems of using prolonged-release medications in patients with gastrointestinal strictures/diverticulae.

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Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis has become the standard surgical treatment modality for patients with ulcerative colitis or familial adenomatous polyposis who require colectomy. Normally staged pouch surgery is performed. Endoscopy plays an important role in postoperative monitoring of disease status and delivery of therapy, if necessary. Therefore, ileal pouch surgery significantly alters bowel anatomy, with new organ structures being created. Endoscopy of the altered bowel includes the evaluation of end ileostomy, Hartmann pouch or diverted rectum, loop ileostomy, diverted pouch, and pouchoscopy. Each segment of the bowel has unique landmarks.

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OBJECTIVE: Postoperative pouch bleeding is a rare but detrimental complication following ileal pouch surgery. It is usually self-limited, however continuous bleeding requires intervention. There is limited published data on its management. DESIGN: Ileoscopy via stoma for loop ileostomy and pouchoscopy via anus for ileal pouch were performed under sedation for the purpose of diagnosis and management of postoperative bleeding. RESULTS: Ileoscopy demonstrated a large, long blood clot in the lumen of efferent limb, but no sign of active bleeding was identified. Pouchoscopy showed that lumen of pouch body as well as afferent limb was filled with maroon-colored liquid stool. Pouch and neo-terminal ileum mucosa was normal. Two dislodged staples at the anastomotic line with sharp tips towards the lumen were found, with activating bleeding at one site. The staples were removed by biopsy forceps, and active bleeding was successfully controlled by the deployment of one endoclip. CONCLUSIONS: We reported the first case that postoperative pouch bleeding, which was caused by dislodged staples, was successfully managed by endoscopic removal of the staples combined with clipping. (AU)

OBJETIVO: O sangramento pós-operatório da bolsa ileal é uma complicação rara, mas prejudicial após abordagem cirúrgica da bolsa ileal. Esse sangramento é geralmente autolimitado, porém, requer intervenção quando contínuo. Não há dados publicados sobre o tratamento. MÉTODO: Ileoscopia através de estoma para ileostomia em alça e endoscopia via ânus para a bolsa ileal foram realizadas sob sedação para diagnóstico e tratamento do sangramento pós-operatório. RESULTADOS: A ileoscopia demonstrou um grande e longo coágulo sanguíneo no lúmen do ramo eferente, mas nenhum sinal de sangramento ativo foi identificado. A endoscopia da bolsa ileal mostrou que os lumens do corpo da bolsa e ramo aferente estavam cheios de fezes líquidas de cor marrom. A bolsa e a mucosa do íleo neoterminal estavam normais. Dois grampos deslocados na linha da anastomose e com pontas afiadas em direção ao lúmen foram encontrados, com sangramento ativo em um dos locais. Os grampos foram removidos com pinça de biópsia e o sangramento ativo controlado com sucesso pela implantação de um endoclipe. CONCLUSÃO: Relatamos o primeiro caso em que o sangramento pós-operatório da bolsa ileal causado por grampos deslocados foi controlado com sucesso pela remoção endoscópica dos grampos combinada com clipagem. (AU)

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