Surgical complications in relation to functional outcomes after ileoanal anastomosis in pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis

BackgroundSignificant surgical complications are common in patients with ulcerative colitis who undergo proctocolectomy. We assessed the effects of these complications on the functional outcomes of such patients.Materials and MethodsThe medical records of 47 consecutive patients who underwent ileoanal anastomosis (IAA; J-pouch IAA, n = 37; straight IAA [SIAA], n = 10) for ulcerative colitis between 1985 and 2004 at a median age of 13.7 years (range, 5.5-19.3 years) were reviewed. Anastomotic leakage and stenosis, fistula, intestinal obstruction (IO), wound complications, pouchitis/enterocolitis (no/once/recurrent), permanent ileostomy, and ultimate diagnosis of Crohn's disease were recorded and correlated with the functional outcome measures of stooling frequency (6 months, 2 years, present), present incidence of soiling, and continence score (range, 0-12).ResultsThe median postoperative follow-up period was 10 years (range, 1-21 years). Twenty-six (55%) of the 47 patients had surgical complications (J-pouch IAA, 21/37 [57%]; SIAA, 5/10 [50%]; P = nonsignificant). These complications specifically included stenosis of IAA in 4 (9%) patients (SIAA 2), pelvic abscess/sepsis in 4 (9%) patients, late fistula in 4 (9%) patients (SIAA 1), early IO in 8 (23%) patients (SIAA 1), late IO in 14 (27%) patients (SIAA 3), J-pouch prolapse in 1 patient, and wound complications in 7 (15%) patients (SIAA 1). Twenty-three (49%) patients had pouchitis, which recurred in 13 (28%). Ileoanal anastomosis stenosis, IO, J-pouch prolapse, wound complications, and pouchitis did not worsen functional outcomes. In 4 patients with pelvic sepsis, early stooling frequency and the continence score were lower than those in the rest of the patients (P < .05). Crohn's disease was ultimately diagnosed in 3 (6%) patients (SIAA 1), 2 of whom (SIAA 1) had permanent ileostomy formation.ConclusionsSignificant surgical complications are common after IAA. Complications do not generally worsen functional outcomes, except in those patients with septic complications or the ultimate diagnosis of Crohn's disease.