Ulcerative Colitis: Beck DE

Blumberg D, Beck DE. · Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 497 Scaife Hall, 3550 Terrace Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA. · Gastroenterol Clin North Am. · Pubmed #12122734 No free full text.

Abstract: The type of surgery performed for UC varies from patient to patient and must take into account the nutritional status and health of the patient, the presence of dysplasia or cancer, the desire of the patient to maintain continence, the preoperative anorectal function, the degree of confidence in the diagnosis of UC, and the technical constraint because of certain body habituses. A total proctocolectomy is the surgical procedure of choice for UC. A restorative proctocolectomy is the preferred surgical approach that not only cures the patient of the disease and prevents the development of colorectal cancer, but also maintains continence with an improved quality of life.

Cohen Z, Senagore AJ, Dayton MT, Koruda MJ, Beck DE, Wolff BG, Fleshner PR, Thirlby RC, Ludwig KA, Larach SW, Weiss EG, Bauer JJ, Holmdahl L. · Department of Surgery, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. · Dis Colon Rectum. · Pubmed #15868230 No free full text.

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Postoperative abdominal adhesions are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, placing a substantial burden on healthcare systems worldwide. Development of a bioresorbable membrane containing up to 23 percent glycerol and chemically modified sodium hyaluronate/carboxymethylcellulose offers ease of handling and has been shown to provide significant postoperative adhesion prevention in animals. This study was designed to assess the safety of glycerol hyaluronate/carboxymethylcellulose and to evaluate its efficacy in reducing the incidence, extent, and severity of postoperative adhesion development in surgical patients. METHODS: Twelve centers enrolled 120 patients with ulcerative colitis or familial polyposis who were scheduled for a restorative proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis with diverting loop ileostomy. Before surgical closure, patients were randomized to no anti-adhesion treatment (control) or treatment with glycerol hyaluronate/carboxymethylcellulose membrane under the midline incision. At ileostomy closure, laparoscopy was used to evaluate the incidence, extent, and severity of adhesion formation to the midline incision. RESULTS: Data were analyzed using the intent-to-treat population. Treatment with glycerol hyaluronate/carboxymethylcellulose resulted in 19 of 58 patients (33 percent) with no adhesions compared with 6 of 60 adhesion-free patients (10 percent) in the no treatment control group (P = 0.002). The mean extent of postoperative adhesions to the midline incision was significantly lower among patients treated with glycerol hyaluronate/carboxymethylcellulose compared with patients in the control group (P < 0.001). The severity of postoperative adhesions to the midline incision was significantly less with glycerol hyaluronate/carboxymethylcellulose than with control (P < 0.001). Adverse events were similar between treatment and no treatment control groups with the exception of abscess and incisional wound complications were more frequently observed with glycerol hyaluronate/carboxymethylcellulose. CONCLUSIONS: Glycerol hyaluronate/carboxymethylcellulose was shown to effectively reduce adhesions to the midline incision and adhesions between the omentum and small bowel after abdominal surgery. Safety profiles for the treatment and no treatment control groups were similar with the exception of more infection complications associated with glycerol hyaluronate/carboxymethylcellulose use. Animal models did not predict these complications.

Castillo E, Thomassie LM, Whitlow CB, Margolin DA, Malcolm J, Beck DE. · Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, Louisiana 70121, USA. · Dis Colon Rectum. · Pubmed #15959717 No free full text.

Abstract: PURPOSE: This study was designed to review our recent experience with continent ileostomies and evaluate patient outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective chart reviews and phone interviews of patients who underwent a continent ileostomy operation from 1993 to 2003 at the Ochsner Clinic Foundation were performed. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients (19 females; age range, 22-73 years) had construction of continent ileostomies (modified Kock pouch). There were no intraoperative mortalities or stoma-related deaths. The mean operating room time for primary construction was 3.9 +/- 0.57 hours with a mean length of stay of 7 +/- 2 days. The average follow-up period was 66 (range, 6-134) months. The most common underlying indication for the construction of a continent ileostomy was ulcerative colitis (71 percent). Thirteen patients had a continent ileostomy created for conversion of a Brooke ileostomy and seven for a failed ileoanal pouch. Other indications included colonic inertia and incontinence in three patients and one patient who had failed multiple operations for Hirschsprung's disease. A total of 28 revisions were performed in 14 patients (58 percent). Six patients required multiple procedures. Operative revisions included 12 skin level revision for stenosis, 11 operations for valve repairs, and 1 each for peristomal hernia repair, stomal relocation, and pouch repair for fistulas. Two patients had their pouches removed (Crohn's disease and inability to manage pouch). The need for revision by 12 months was 29 percent, and the average time period before the first revision was 24 months (range, 4 days to 109 months). The overall failure rate (converted to conventional ileostomy) was only 8.3 percent. Ninety percent of the patients have continent pouches and are satisfied with their pouch function. CONCLUSIONS: Continent ileostomies continue to have a high rate of reoperations, reasonable functional results, and are a viable option for failed ileal pouch-anal pouch patients. Surgeons electing to perform continent ileostomies must carefully select their patients and advise them of the high potential for reoperations. Despite a high reoperation rate, patients are pleased with their continent ileostomies.

Blumberg D, Opelka FG, Hicks TC, Timmcke AE, Beck DE. · Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Ochsner Clinic and Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation, New Orleans, LA 70121, USA. · South Med J. · Pubmed #11372792 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Restorative proctocolectomy, a standard operation for ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis has significant complications, even in experienced hands. METHODS: We studied surgical outcome by retrospectively reviewing cases of restorative proctocolectomy done at Ochsner Foundation Hospital from 1982 to 1995. Demographic and clinical data from two periods (1982 to 1989 and 1989 to 1995) were compared to determine factors associated with improved outcome. RESULTS: We performed 145 ileal pouch-anal procedures. In 56 patients, 104 complications occurred. The more recent group had a greater incidence of inflammatory bowel disease, steroid use, and staged operations; reduced operative times and hospital stays; more general but fewer pouch-related complications. Pouch failures were similar for both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative outcome appeared to be associated with technical experience, improved perioperative care, exclusion of patients with Crohn's disease,judicious surgical reoperation for pouch complications, and use of a 3-stage procedure in malnourished patients or those with acute or toxic colitis.

Perry WB, Opelka FG, Smith D, Hicks TC, Timmcke AE, Gathright JB, Farr GH, Beck DE. · Department of Colorectal Surgery, Ochsner Clinic and Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. · J Gastrointest Surg. · Pubmed #10457336 No free full text.

Abstract: Continuous mucosal involvement from the rectum proximally is one of the hallmarks of ulcerative colitis. However, recent pathologic series report appendiceal ulcerative colitis in the presence of a histologically normal cecum, representing a "skip" lesion. The clinical significance of this finding has not been established. Eighty patients, 54 males and 26 females, average age 37.9 years (range 14 to 82 years) who underwent proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis from January 1990 to September 1995 were examined to determine the rate of discontinuous appendiceal involvement. Excluded were 12 patients with prior appendectomy and 11 with fibrotic obliteration of the appendiceal lumen. Of the remaining 57 patients, seven (12.3%) had clear appendiceal involvement in the presence of a histologically normal cecum. These seven patients clinically were indistinguishable from the 50 patients without skip involvement of the appendix in terms of age at surgery, pretreatment medications, type of surgery, interval from diagnosis to definitive procedure, complications, functional results, and clinical course. Discontinuous appendiceal involvement was found in 12.3% of patients undergoing proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis, and clinically these patients behave as those without this feature.