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SummaryBackground Pouch surgery, a common intervention for ulcerative colitis (UC) complications, is often associated with the development of pouchitis. Aim To identify predictors of pouch outcome in a cohort of patients with UC. Methods We conducted a retrospective unmatched case-cohort study in a tertiary IBD referral centre. Adult patients with UC were classified into the worst phenotype throughout follow-up: normal pouch, a form of chronic pouchitis (either chronic pouchitis or Crohn's like disease of pouch [CLDP]), or episodic recurrent acute pouchitis (RAP). Risk factors for pouchitis (chronic forms) were detected using statistical models. Results Two hundred and fifty-three pouch patients were followed up for 13.1±7.3 years. Only 71 patients (28.1%) maintained a favourable outcome of a sustained normal pouch. These patients were older at UC diagnosis (27.8±12.5 vs 23.0±11.4 years), had longer UC duration until surgery (13.4±9.5 vs 8.2±7.9 years), and had higher rates of referral to surgery due to nonrefractory (dysplasia/neoplasia) complications (42.3% vs 16.2%) compared with pouchitis patients. Median survival for sustained normal pouch was 10.8 years (95% CI 8.9-12.7 years), and it was longer in the nonrefractory group (20.3 vs 9.4 years for the refractory group, HR=2.37, 95% CI 1.25-3.52, P=.004). Conclusions Most patients with UC undergoing pouch surgery will develop pouchitis. Patients operated for nonrefractory indications have a more favourable outcome. These results may contribute to pre- and post-surgical decision-making. The findings imply that the processes determining UC severity may be similar to that causing pouchitis.

Background and Objective The influence of ileostomy closure timing on surgical and oncologic outcome was investigated in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy after low anterior resection. Methods Consecutive patients diagnosed with T3-4/N+ rectal cancer, treated by neoadjuvant chemoradiation and low anterior resection during 2000–2012 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients undergoing closure during adjuvant chemotherapy (Group A) were compared to patients undergoing closure after completing chemotherapy (Group B). Results A total of the 165 patients met inclusion criteria, of whom 104 received adjuvant chemotherapy (25 in Group A and 79 in Group B). The pathologic stage was higher in Group B (P = 0.015). The rates of postoperative complications were similar (16% for Group A and 15% for Group B, P = 0.88), as was hospital stay (mean 5.78 days for Group A and 6.25 days for Group B, P = 0.7). There was no significant difference in recurrence rate and overall survival between the groups. Conclusions Referral to ileostomy closure in relation to adjuvant chemotherapy is influenced by pathologic stage. Early referral appears to be reserved to a small number of patients with lower pathologic stage. Timing of ileostomy closure does not change short- or long-term results. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014 109:266–269. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Aim The study assessed the clinicopathological features and survival rates of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients with colorectal carcinoma (CRC), which accounts for ∼15% of all IBD associated death. Method The medical records of patients operated on for CRC in three institutions between 1992 and 2009 were reviewed, and those with Crohn’s colitis (CC) and ulcerative colitis (UC) were identified. Data on age, gender, disease duration, colitis severity, surgical procedure, tumour stage and survival were retrieved. Results Fifty-three patients (40 UC and 13 CC, 27 men, mean age at operation 54 years) were found. All parameters were comparable between the groups. Mean disease duration before CRC was 22.7 years for UC and 16.6 years for CC patients (P = 0.04). CRC was diagnosed preoperatively in 43 (81%) patients. Twenty-eight patients had colon cancer, 23 had rectal cancer and two patients had more than one cancer. All malignancies were located in segments with colitis. Over one-half were diagnosed at an advanced stage (36% stage III; 17% stage IV). At a mean follow up of 56 ± 65 months, 60% were alive (54% disease free) and 40% were dead from cancer-related causes. The 5-year survival rate was 61% for the UC and 37% for the CC patients (P = NS). Conclusion CRC in IBD patients is frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage, a factor that contributes to poor prognosis. The risk of CRC in CC patients is comparable to those with UC. Long-term surveillance is recommended for patients with long-standing CC and UC.

Aim The study aimed to characterize the pathological and clinical response of rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) to neoadjuvant Imatinib. Method The medical records of patients with rectal GISTs who were diagnosed and treated in five medical centres in Israel between January 2002 and January 2009 were retrospectively examined. Twelve patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria of nonmetastatic rectal GIST for which preoperative neoadjuvant treatment with Imatinib was considered were suitable for enrollment. Results Of the 12 patients, nine received neoadjuvant treatment with Imatinib. The three patients who had immediate surgery were excluded. There were five men and four women with a median age of 63 years and a median follow up of 32 months. All tumours were located in the lower two-thirds of the rectum. One patient had a complete clinical response, six had a partial response and two had stable disease. Seven patients subsequently underwent surgery; six had an R0 resection and one had an R1 resection. Three patients had recurrence. There was no disease-related mortality. The reduction in both tumour size and mitotic activity during preoperative Imatinib therapy was significant. Conclusion Preoperative Imatinib therapy can shrink large rectal GISTs, improving the chances of successful radical surgery and decreasing the risk of considerable morbidity.

Objective Perianal Paget's disease (PPD) is a rare entity. The standard treatment for either in situ or invasive extra mammary Paget's disease (EMPD) is surgical excision. Local recurrence and morbidity from surgery, especially in the elderly, can, however, be high. The aim of this article is to review our experience with PPD and question the currently preferred treatment approaches in light of its histopathology and therapeutic outcome. Patients and methods A chart review of our patients with PPD from 1996 to 2002 was carried out to determine their outcome after treatment. Data from review of the literature are presented. Results Five patients with in situ disease (four females, median age 68 years) were diagnosed as having PPD. A complete surgical excision was attempted in 4 patients and the fifth was treated by photodynamic therapy. At present, all patients are alive, two are free of disease, one has persistent disease and two have local recurrence. Conclusion Considering the significant rate of recurrence even after wide local excision, the extent of surgery needed and the good prognosis with long-term survival, we question whether nonsurgical modalities should be considered in place of surgery as primary treatment for noninvasive PPD, with radical surgery being reserved for failures or invasive disease.