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Background and Aims: This study evaluated the postoperative complications and clinical results of restorative proctocolectomy without diverting ileostomy for ulcerative colitis., Patients and Methods: One hundred selected patients had a hand-sewn ileal J-pouch anal anastomosis with mucosectomy using an ultrasonically activated scalpel., Results: Three patients with pouch-related complications who needed diverting ileostomy. Five patients showed intestinal obstruction; two of the five needed relaparotomy and division of adhesions. The median number of bowel movements per 24 h was 6.5 (2-13) at 3 months and 5 (3-10) at 12 months. The corresponding nightly frequencies were 0 (0-5) at 3 months and 0 (0-3) at 12 months. After 3 months 82% of patients had no soiling during the daytime, and 45% were fully continent day and night. After 3 months 89% had recovered the ability to distinguish flatus from feces., Conclusion: Ileal pouch anal anastomosis can be performed safely without diverting ileostomy using an ultrasonically activated scalpel. The postoperative functional result was stabilized 3 months after the operation.

Purpose: We evaluated the usefulness of an ultrasonically activated scalpel (Harmonic Scalpel) for mucosal proctocolectomy and ileal J-pouch-anal anastomosis., Methods: Seventy-four patients with ulcerative colitis (70 patients) and familial adenomatous polyposis (4 patients) underwent mucosectomy using the Harmonic Scalpel since 1997. We compared the clinical and functional results with those of the monopolar electrocoagulator (forceps coagulation technique, 86 patients with colitis and 7 with polyposis)., Results: We performed graduated mucosal proctectomy by using the Harmonic Scalpel. The operative time (Harmonic Scalpel, 42 minutes vs. forceps coagulation technique, 85 minutes) and blood loss (Harmonic Scalpel, 33 ml vs. forceps coagulation technique, 86.8 ml) were significantly reduced by this method. The Harmonic Scalpel enabled restorative proctocolectomy by the synchronous approach within three hours. The functional results and complications were not significantly different between the two groups., Conclusion: The Harmonic Scalpel shortened the operative time, decreased blood loss, and was useful for restorative proctocolectomy in our study.

We describe herein our technique of using an ultrasonically activated scalpel (Harmonic Scalpel [HS]) to simplify the procedure of anorectal mucosectomy for ulcerative colitis (UC). This technique was successfully employed to perform restorative proctocolectomy and ileoanal anastomosis (IAA) in ten patients with UC. By using the HS, thermal injury of the internal anal sphincter was avoided during mucosectomy, and we were able to dissect the inflamed mucosa sharply without causing bleeding. HS reduced the operative time and blood loss compared with the traditional forceps-coagulation technique. These results indicate that the introduction of this new scalpel will facilitate an increase in the number of cases of mucosectomy for IAA.

Background: Coloanal anastomosis and radiotherapy for the treatment of lower rectal carcinoma have been receiving increasing attention., Methods: Patients with rectal cancer were divided into two groups: anoabdominal rectal resection and colonic J pouch-anal anastomosis (CAA) plus preoperative intraluminal brachytherapy (IBT) (group 1; 68 patients) and CAA without IBT (group 2; 23 patients). Group 3, comprising 59 patients who underwent abdominoperineal excision (APE), was examined as a control group. Comparative results were reviewed., Results: Postoperative complications occurred more frequently in group 1 than in group 2. Actuarial 5-year survival rates were 73 per cent in group 1, 64 per cent in group 2 and 63 per cent in group 3. Cumulative local recurrence rates at 5 years were 11 per cent in group 1, 38 per cent in group 2 and 21 per cent in group 3. Intestinal continuity breakdown was seen in 14 per cent of all patients at 5 years after initial operation., Conclusion: The combination of CAA and preoperative IBT resulted in decreased local recurrence. IBT followed by CAA can be a good restorative option for combating lower rectal cancer.

The aim of this study was to determine the postoperative function of neorectoanal components using two different types of very low coloanal reconstruction. The two groups of patients assessed were 22 who underwent abdominal rectal resection and stapled "high" coloanal anastomosis without a pouch, being the HCAA-P group; and 34 who underwent anoabdominal rectal resection and "low" coloanal anastomosis with a colonic J-pouch, being the LCAA + P group. Manometric examination was performed 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively, and the patients were also assessed by a questionnaire. The LCAA + P group had remarkably less daily stool frequency and urgency, but there were no significant differences in the other functional parameters. Maximum resting pressure (MRP) was significantly less, while threshold volume (TV) and maximum tolerable volume (MTV) were greater in the LCAA + P group than in the HCAA-P group. The colonic J-pouch compensated for decreased MRP. Thus, when HCAA-P is performed, 3.0 cm of residual rectum with internal anal sphincter may be required, and construction of the pelvic pouch is desirable in low coloanal anastomosis.

A 44-year-old female with rectal cancer underwent anoabdominal rectal resection and colonic J pouch-anal anastomosis after preoperative intraluminal brachytherapy. Pelvic sepsis developed a rectovaginal fistula. We attempted to close the fistula and restore the anal function with coloanal re-anastomosis and bilateral gluteus maximus transposition. She regained good anal function without recurrence of the fistula.

Colonic J pouch anal anastomosis is widely employed after rectal resection. In the 36 patients who participated in our retrospective study, although postoperative continence was retained/maintained in each individual, a survey questionnaire indicated some difficulties in neoanorectal function. Therefore, defecography was performed in 20 of these patients. Patients experiencing soiling were found to have an increased ano-pouch angle and pelvic floor descent. Loss of sensation and incomplete evacuation were also associated with an abnormally large pelvic floor descent. However, stool frequency, urgency, and the need for medication showed no correlation with any of the defecography parameters. These findings thus suggested that the puborectal muscle and the levator ani muscle played an important role in postoperative function. Defecography was also found to provide a dynamic assessment of the postoperative state of colonanal reconstruction.

A questionnaire survey of ten institutions in Japan revealed that restorative proctocolectomy accounted for 81.8% of the surgical procedures performed in patients with UC in the last 5 years (1989-1993); ileoanal anastomosis (IAA) and ileo-anal canal anastomosis (IACA) were performed in 63% and 33% of these patients, respectively. Comparison of the two series showed that IACA was technically simpler and yielded better continence, but that it entailed a potential risk of recurrence of the disease in the remaining anal canal mucosa. Although IACA seems to be a useful surgical option for UC, until the long-term outcome of the procedure can be elucidated. It may be better regarded as a very low variation of IRA rather than as an improved technical version of IAA.

Total ulcerative colitis (UC) and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) are two major diseases that require total removal of the colorectal mucosa. To provide a high quality of postoperative life, various surgical techniques have been used. However, results were far from ideal. Since 1978, we have worked on the ileoanal anastomosis (IAA) technique to achieve both radical removal of the mucosa and preservation of natural anal function. From 1979 to 1991, a total of 155 patients were treated by IAA. To evaluate the surgical results, these patients were divided into three groups: the Tokyo series (49 cases, 1979-1983), Hyogo I series (49 cases 1983-1988) and Hyogo II series (57 cases, 1989-1991). The success rates in terms of preservation of anal continence were: 58% (UC) and 78% (FAP) in the Tokyo series, 84% (UC) and 96% (FAP) in the Hyogo I series and 92% (UC) and 100% (FAP) in the Hyogo II series. The surgical time and blood loss were significantly reduced in the later series. Of the 82 patients followed up for 6 mo in the two Hyogo series, anal continence was normal or nearly normal in 54 patients, with only minor leakage at night in 22 patients. Septic complications in the pelvic caused the majority of surgical failures. We conclude that improved IAA techniques can achieve total removal of the colorectal mucosa and preserve anal function in more than 90% of patients with UC or FAP. However, the skill of an experienced surgeon is still required to achieve this goal. The long-term outcome of anal function after such procedures needs further evaluation.

The effects of preoperative intraluminal brachytherapy on bowel function after anoabdominal rectal resection and colonic J pouch-anal anastomosis were studied. The patients included eight not receiving irradiation (group 1), eight who received 30 Gy (group 2) and eight who received 80 Gy (group 3). Stool frequency and the incidence of soiling were significantly greater in group 3 than in the other groups. Anal resting pressure was lower in group 3 during the study period but J pouch distensibility was not reduced. The maximum tolerated volume, threshold volume and squeeze pressure were significantly lower in group 3 than in the other groups in the early postoperative period. These results suggest that high-dose brachytherapy affects the anal sphincters and colonic J pouch. A moderate dose of 30 Gy may be more suitable before restorative anorectal surgery.

Background: We investigate the effects of sodium valproate, a gamma-aminobutyric acid transaminase inhibitor, on the clinico-physiologic state after ileoanal anastomosis., Methods: Twelve patients (five with ulcerative colitis and seven with familial adenomatous polyposis coli) were studied in a placebo-controlled trial., Results: Placebo had no effect, but valproate increased the resting anal pressure by 22.4% and the maximum tolerable pouch volume by 20.7%. It also prolonged pouch emptying by 47.3%, with an associated improvement in stool frequency and incontinence. These results suggested that valproate improved both reservoir continence and sphincter continence., Conclusions: Only minimal side effects were noted, so the administration of sodium valproate appears to be a safe and useful adjunct for patients with ileoanal anastomosis in the early postoperative period.

The incidence of postoperative hyperamylasaemia was evaluated in 70 patients who underwent staged restorative proctocolectomy. On the 14th postoperative day, 27 of 70 patients after total colectomy showed hyperamylasaemia, and the serum amylase returned to normal on the 30th postoperative day. Three out of 37 after ileoanal anastomosis and 8 out of 70 after stoma closure showed elevation of serum amylase postoperatively. Total colectomy might have a possible role in the postoperative increase of serum amylase. None of these patients had any obvious clinical evidence of postoperative pancreatitis. In 7 patients showing significant elevation of serum amylase levels (over 1000 IU), this was due predominantly to the pancreatic isoenzyme. This transitory elevation of serum amylase did not seem to be altered by the administration of therapeutic agents for pancreatitis. These observations suggest that postoperative hyperamylasaemia without clinical evidence of pancreatitis is very common after total colectomy, and that postoperative hyperamylasaemia itself does not necessarily require treatment.

Background: There has recently been increasing interest in coloanal reconstruction after proctectomy for low rectal carcinoma. We describe here our pilot experience with seven patients undergoing modified anoabdominal resection of the rectum and a colonic J-pouch anal anastomosis., Methods: The procedure varied according to the extent of internal anal sphincter (IAS) resection (type a, partial resection of the upper IAS; type b, circumferential resection of the upper IAS; type c, partial preservation of the lower IAS; and type d, total resection of the IAS)., Results: None of the patients had incontinence, but preservation of the lower half of the IAS (types a and b) showed functional superiority over more extensive IAS resection (types c and d). Only patients who underwent types c and d resection needed medications to reduce stool frequency., Conclusions: Our results suggest that the lower half of the IAS has a more important role than the upper half in the control of defecation. Total resection of the IAS did not sacrifice continence, but preservation of at least the lower IAS resulted in a better quality of life. Careful patient selection is needed when considering the use of these procedures for tumors in the lowest part of the rectum.

We investigated the daily life and opinions of patients after total proctocolectomy and ileal J-pouch-anal anastomosis. Eighty patients answered a questionnaire, completed Cattell's anxiety scale, and recorded bowel function for one month. Both colitis and polyposis patients defecated five times daily, had 1.6 episodes of nocturnal motions weekly, and soiled twice weekly. However, colitis patients were more satisfied with their bowel function and surgical outcome than were polyposis patients. This difference had a close relationship to the personality factors of ego strength and frustration. All patients with either disease who defecated less than three times daily, had no nocturnal motions, and had no soiling showed normal ego strength and frustration and were completely satisfied with their bowel status and operation. In contrast, patients defecating more than seven times daily or more than once per week nocturnally and soiling more than four times weekly had high frustration and were dissatisfied. Thus, satisfaction with surgery correlated not only with the objective outcome but also with personality and lifestyle.

A thread holding ring, originally developed for valve replacement surgery and now commercially available, was successfully employed when performing ileoanal or coloanal anastomosis in 34 patients. The use of this instrument for ileoanal or coloanal anastomosis shortened the operation time and resulted in a decreased rate of complications related to the anastomosis.

Twenty-eight patients undergoing anoabdominal resection of the rectum with construction of a colonic J reservoir and eight patients without a reservoir were studied 2 years after surgery. Frequency of defaecation and daytime soiling were inversely correlated with the maximum tolerable volume of the colonic J pouch. The distensibility and threshold volume of those with a pouch were significantly greater than in those without a pouch 6 months or more after stoma closure. Anal resting pressure, squeeze pressure, anal canal length and a positive inhibitory reflex were similar in both groups. Anal resting pressure, squeeze pressure and pouch distensibility correlated with frequency of defaecation in the stable phase. Pouch construction may improve the patient's quality of life in the adaptation phase.