Long-term function after transanal versus transabdominal ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis: a multicenter cohort study

Abstract

AIM:The novel transanal approach to ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (ta-IPAA) provides better exposure with lower short-term morbidity in ulcerative colitis (UC). The aim of this study was to assess the long-term outcomes after ta-IPAA versus abdominal IPAA (abd-IPAA) in UC. METHOD:This is a multicentre cohort analysis between March 2002 and September 2017. Patient characteristics, surgical details and postoperative outcomes were compared. The primary end-point was CGQL (Cleveland Global Quality of Life) score at 12 months. RESULTS:374 patients (100 ta-IPAA vs 274 abd-IPAA) were included. Mean CGQL scores were comparable between the two groups (0.75 ± 0.11 vs 0.71 ± 0.14; respectively, P = 0.1). Quality of life (7.71 ± 1.17 vs 7.30 ± 1.46; P = 0.04) and energy level (7.16 ± 1.52 vs 6.66 ± 1.68; P = 0.03) were significantly better after ta-IPAA, while the quality of health item was comparable (7.68 ± 1.26 vs 7.64 ± 1.44; P = 0.9655). Stool frequencies (> 10/24 h:22% vs 21%; P = 1.0) and major incontinence rates (27% vs 26%; P = 0.89) were similar. Thirty-day morbidity rates (33% vs 41%; P = 0.2) and anastomotic leak rates were comparable (6% vs 13%; P = 0.09). CONCLUSION: This study, for the first time, provides evidence of comparable long-term functional outcome of ta-IPAA vs abd-IPAA for UC.