Gut hormones in inflammatory bowel disease

We have studied fasting levels and the response to a standard test breakfast of blood glucose and several gut hormones in 24 patients with ulcerative colitis, in 14 patients with Crohn's disease, and in 14 healthy control subjects. Patients with ulcerative colitis had significantly elevated fasting human pancreatic polypeptide (HPP) concentrations, and both basal and postprandial levels of gastrin, gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), and motilin were greater than normal. In contrast, patients with Crohn's disease had normal gastrin levels but had increased fasting and postprandial levels of GIP and motilin and, in addition, of enteroglucagon, compared with controls. These patients also had greater than normal HPP concentrations 30 min after the breakfast. Normal levels of insulin, pancreatic glucagon, neurotensin, and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide were found in both groups of patients. Much remains to be known about the pathophysiology of these two debilitating diseases, and the abnormal release of gut hormones may be of importance.     

Fecal bacteriology and reservoir ileitis in patients operated on for ulcerative colitis

To investigate the etiology of ileal reservoir inflammation, fecal bacteriology and ileal wall morphology were compared in three groups of 15 patients operated on for ulcerative colitis: 1) conventional ileostomy, 2) Kock ileostomy; and 3) pelvic ileal pouch. Total bacterial counts showed overgrowth of fecal bacteria in each group, but the anaerobic bacterial counts were significantly higher (P less than .05) in the two pouch groups than in the conventional ileostomy group. Mucosal morphology did not differ among the three groups showing either normal mucosa or mild chronic inflammatory changes in most patients. In contrast, five of the six patients with clinical pouchitis had acute inflammatory changes in histologic specimens. Fecal bacteriologic findings in these patients did not differ quantitatively or qualitatively from others. It is concluded that proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis predisposes to ileal bacterial overgrowth, and after pouch operations especially, anaerobic overgrowth may be one factor in the development of pouch inflammation. Acute clinical pouchitis with clear histologic changes was, however, not connected with specific changes in fecal bacteriology.     

T-pouch: a new valve design for a continent ileostomy

PURPOSE: After proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis or familial adenomatous polyposis, creation of a continent ileostomy is one of the surgical options. Although most patients will be offered a pull-through procedure, the continent ileostomy is a valuable alternative in patients who are either not candidates for or have failed an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis or who--for other reasons--prefer a permanent ileostomy. The traditional continent reservoirs (Kock or Barnett pouch) with an intussuscepted bowel segment as valve mechanism have an unsatisfactorily high incidence of dysfunction and frequent reoperations. The objective of this study was to adapt the T-pouch valve concept, previously used for urinary reservoirs, for a continent stool reservoir and to construct a valve mechanism that omits intussusception of the bowel and maintains the blood supply to the valve segment. METHODS: The technique for the critical valve construction is described in detail. It consists of isolating the terminal segment of the small bowel with its blood supply. The valve mechanism is created by embedding this segment in a serosa-lined tunnel of two apposed limbs of bowel that will form the pouch reservoir. RESULTS: Preliminary results in six patients indicate complete continence of the pouch. CONCLUSION: Although long-term results are not yet available, the new T-pouch concept is suitable as a continent stool reservoir and promises a significant improvement as compared with the traditional Kock pouch.     

Factors Related to the Presence of IgA Class Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies in Ulcerative Colitis

Objective: Few studies have assessed the IgA antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) positivity in ulcerative colitis patients and there is no information about factors related to its synthesis and its status after colectomy. The aims of the study were to assess the serum IgA ANCA prevalence in ulcerative colitis patients, both nonoperated and operated, and to determine the clinical factors related to this positivity.
Methods: Fifty-four ulcerative colitis patients, 63 ulcerative colitis colectomized patients (32 with Brooke's ileostomy and 31 with ileal pouch anal anastomosis), and 24 controls were studied. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies were detected by specific indirect immunofluorescent assays.
Results: The percentage of IgA ANCA was significantly higher in patients with ileal pouch anal anastomosis (45%) than in patients with Brooke's ileostomy (22%). There were no differences related to the presence of pouchitis in ileal pouch anal anastomosis patients. Patients with nonoperated extensive colitis (47%) had a significantly higher percentage of IgA ANCA than patients with proctitis (19%). Total percentage of ANCA (IgA and/or IgG) tended to be higher in ulcerative colitis and in patients with ileal pouch anal anastomosis than in patients with Brooke's ileostomy. However, in ileal pouch anal anastomosis patients, ANCA positivity was mainly due to exclusive IgA production. Conclusions: A substantial percentage of ulcerative colitis patients, and especially colectomized patients with ileal pouch anal anastomosis, had IgA ANCA, suggesting that ANCA production in ulcerative colitis might be stimulated by an immune reaction in the intestinal mucosa.     

Atrophy and Neoplastic Transformation of the Ileal Pouch Mucosa in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

INTRODUCTION: Patients with ulcerative colitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis have an increased risk of developing carcinoma both in the bile ducts and in the colon. PURPOSE: To investigate whether this patient group also has an increased risk of developing atrophy and neoplasia in the ileal pouch mucosa after construction of a pelvic pouch with an ileoanal anastomosis or a continent Kock ileostomy. METHODS: Flexible video endoscopic examinations of the ileal pouch were performed in 16 patients with ulcerative colitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis and in 16 matched patients with ulcerative colitis without sclerosing cholangitis. Biopsies were sampled from different locations in the pouch for histologic assessment of mucosal atrophy and dysplasia and for flow cytometric DNA analysis assessing chromosomal aberrations. RESULTS: The patients with sclerosing cholangitis developed moderate or severe atrophy in the pouch significantly more often (P < 0.01). Persistent severe mucosal atrophy was revealed in eight patients with sclerosing cholangitis and only in two controls. One patient with sclerosing cholangitis had high-grade dysplasia in multiple locations. Low-grade dysplasia was assessed in three patients with sclerosing cholangitis and in two of the controls. DNA aneuploidy was displayed in three patients, all with sclerosing cholangitis and dysplasia. All patients with neoplastic transformation had a pouch with ileoanal anastomosis and a long pouch duration (> 8 years). CONCLUSION: Patients with ulcerative colitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis with an ileal reservoir are more prone to developing mucosal atrophy in the pouch and seem to have a higher risk of neoplastic transformation in the pouch mucosa than patients with ulcerative colitis without sclerosing cholangitis.     

Barnett continent intestinal reservoir

PURPOSE: Since 1988, surgeons at five hospitals have been performing the Barnett continent intestinal reservoir (BCIR). The BCIR includes modifications to the original Kock pouch, designed to reduce the incidence of valve slippage and fistula formation. Principle modifications include an intestinal collar, an isoperistaltic valve, and a lateral pouch design. METHOD: This unique collaborative study includes 510 ulcerative colitis or familial polyposis patients, with a follow-up time from one to five years postoperatively. RESULTS: Ninety-two percent still have functioning reservoirs. Six and one-half percent have had their pouches removed and replaced with conventional Brooke ileostomies. Reoperation rate for major pouch-related complications (other than pouch removal) was 12.8 percent. These complications included slipped valve (6.3 percent), valve fistulas (4.5 percent), and pouch fistulas (6.3 percent). Several questions were administered to patients whose responses revealed a significant improvement in general quality of life, state of mind, and overall health. CONCLUSIONS: The BCIR represents a successful alternative to patients with a conventional Brooke ileostomy or those who are not candidates for the ileal pouch-anal anastomosis.Read in part at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Orlando, Florida, May 8 to 13, 1994.     

Misdiagnosis of specific cytomegalovirus infection of the ileoanal pouch as refractory idiopathic chronic pouchitis

PURPOSE: Chronic nonspecific reservoir ileitis (pouchitis) occurs in 5 to 10 percent of patients who undergo ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis. Specific infection of the ileal pouch-anal anastomosis with cytomegalovirus has not been reported. AIM: We report two patients with specific cytomegalovirus infection of the ileal pouchanal anastomosis, initially misdiagnosed as idiopathic chronic pouchitis. CASE SERIES: Patient 1 had ileal pouchanal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis. Three years later she had diarrhea, fever, pelvic pain, and pouch inflammation at endoscopy consistent with pouchitis. She had no response to medical therapy. Repeat endoscopy showed persistent inflammation and biopsies showed cytomegalovirus. She had symptomatic improvement after treatment with intravenous ganciclovir, 10 mg/kg/day for ten days (stopped for rash). Repeat pouch biopsies were negative for cytomegalovirus. Patient 2 had ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis. Nine years later she had resection of obstructing stricture at previous loop ileostomy site. She underwent reoperation with ileostomy and pouch defunctionalization for peritonitis. Four weeks later she had fever and bloody discharge from the diverted pouch. Pouch endoscopy with biopsy showed inflammation consistent with pouchitis. She had no response to medical therapy. Re-examination of pouch biopsies with a specific monoclonal immunofluorescent stain showed cytomegalovirus. She had symptomatic improvement after treatment with intravenous ganciclovir, 10 mg/kg/day for 21 days. Repeat pouch biopsies were negative for cytomegalovirus. CONCLUSIONS: Specific cytomegalovirus infection of the ileal pouch-anal anastomosis may be misdiagnosed as idiopathic refractory chronic pouchitis. Cytomegalovirus must be excluded before immune modifier therapy or pouch excision in these patients.     

Nipple complication caused by a mesenteric GORE-TEX® sling reinforcement in a kock ileal reservoir

INTRODUCTION: The surgical trend after proctocolectomy at present is to perform a pelvic pouch reservoir with an ileoanal anastomosis. Before that a continent ileal Kock pouch was the procedure of choice, which enabled the patient to collect the intestinal discharge for several hours and avoid involuntary escape of reservoir contents, thus making the wearing of plastic bags unnecessary. Although in the majority of patients an increased life quality can be observed, different complications with a Kock pouch may occur. METHODS: We present a case of a young female with signs of outlet obstruction several years after a Kock reservoir was performed because of complicated ulcerative colitis. The obstruction was caused by a fecal-coated GORE-TEX® sling that had penetrated through the nipple-valve base into the pouch. The mesenteric sling was introduced as a modification of the original Kock procedure to reinforce the efferent ileal segment, thus preventing nipple prolapse. The perforation site was closed with interrupted sutures and an ileostomy was performed. RESULTS: Three months thereafter, the ileostomy was closed and at a follow-up visit one year later the patient had no complaints and a well-functioning reservoir. CONCLUSION: If continence is desired after definitive ileostomy or if failure of the ileoanal reservoir occurs, a Kock pouch procedure still has a place in the surgical armamentarium of colorectal surgery. Many experts today do not use sling reinforcement maneuvers, and most of these procedures seem to work well without it.     

Surgical treatment of chronic ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis requiring surgical removal of the colon can be approached via four surgical options: previously (until 1975) by a Brooke ileostomy or ileorectostomy, and more recently by a Kock's continent reservoir ileostomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. This review assesses the current surgical alternatives with particular emphasis on ileal-pouch anastomosis. Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is described in detail, since this is the preferred method at the Mayo Clinic in patients in whom proctocolectomy is recommended. 390 patients operated on for chronic ulcerative colitis by this method were followed up for at least 6 months postoperatively. Ninety-four percent of the patients were ultimately satisfied with their results despite a few postoperative complications. Twenty-four patients had their ileal pouch-anal anastomosis taken down and either a Brooke ileostomy or a continent ileostomy established because of pelvic sepsis or subsequent appearance of Crohn's disease or poor functional results. In some cases a Kock pouch was fashioned. When all is said and done, ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is the only procedure that promises to meet the criteria for an ideal operation. If appropriately timed and done by experienced surgeons, the beneficial effect of such a curative, yet continence-preserving procedure could be profound.     

Peptidergic nerves in the colon of patients with ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The cause of impaired motility, such as diarrhea and toxic megacolon, in patients with ulcerative colitis is unknown. Neuropeptides have recently been shown to be a neurotransmitter in the non-adrenergic non-cholinergic inhibitory and excitatory nerves in the human gut. To clarify the physiological significance of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, substance P and neurotensin in the colon of patients with ulcerative colitis, we investigated the enteric nerve responses on lesional and normal bowel segments derived from patients with ulcerative colitis and patients who underwent colon resection for colonic cancers. METHODOLOGY: Twenty-four specimens were obtained from the lesional colon of 6 patients with ulcerative colitis (4 male, 2 female; ages 14-51 years, mean: 40.3 years). The patients with ulcerative colitis had chronic disease (4 with moderate disease, 2 with severe disease). Seventy-two specimens were obtained from the normal colon of 10 patients with colonic cancer (8 men and 2 women; ages 40-56 years, mean: 51.2 years). A mechanographic technique was used to evaluate in vitro muscle responses to these peptides of adrenergic and cholinergic nerves before and after treatment with various autonomic nerve blockers. RESULTS: (1) Peptidergic nerves such as vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, substance P, and neurotensin nerves were found to act on both normal colon and ulcerative colitis colon; (2) the colon with ulcerative colitis was more strongly innervated by vasoactive intestinal polypeptide nerves than the normal colon; (3) Substance P and neurotensin nerves act more weakly in the UC colon that the normal colon. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that peptidergic nerves play an important role in the impaired motility observed in patients with UC.     

Alteration in intestinal permeability after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis

PPURPOSE: The physiologic changes that occur when the small bowel is used as a reservoir, as in the ileal pouchanal anastomosis, are poorly understood. Alterations in bowel permeability, which may lead to bacterial translocation that could result in illness or dysfunction of the pouch, may be one such consequence of the pouch procedure. METHODS: Whole-bowel permeability was evaluated in patients with and without the pouch through the use of an orally consumed nonmetabolizable sugar clearance technique. Patients in whom the ileal pouchanal anastomosis was performed for ulcerative colitis (17 patients) and patients with familial polyposis (7 patients) were compared with normal healthy volunteers (10 patients) and patients with ulcerative colitis with and without curative colectomy and ileostomy (6 and 5 patients, respectively). RESULTS: Measured by this technique, no differences were noted in bowel permeability between the volunteers and patients with ulcerative colitis, even after colectomy and ileostomy (1.7±0.4 in normal healthy volunteers, 1.8±0.5 in patients with ulcerative colitis without stoma, and 1.4±0.2 in patients with ulcerative colitis with ileostomy). The group of patients with an ileal reservoir, however, had a significantly increased index of measured bowel permeability (3.5±0.5 in patients with ulcerative colitis and 5.1±0.7 in patients with familial polyposis; P<0.05 by analysis of variance compared with normal healthy volunteers and patients with ulcerative colitis with or without ileostomy). CONCLUSION: The exact site, cause, and consequence of this possible alteration of bowel permeability are unclear but appear to be related to the presence of the pouch and are not caused by the underlying pathologic diagnosis.Poster presentation at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Boston, Massachusetts, May 12 to 17, 1991. Winner of the New Jersey Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Award, 1991.     

Pouch ileitis

Pouch ileitis is the most poorly understood complication of ileal reservoir surgery. Variability in definition of this syndrome may account for differences in incidence rate, associated symptoms, and response rate to therapy present in the literature. Outcomes of 19 episodes of pouch ileitis in patients having undergone prior colectomy and continent ileostomy construction for presumed ulcerative colitis were analyzed. An episode of pouch ileitis was characterized by: (1) abdominal pain, (2) increased ileal output, (3) mucosal inflammation within the continent ileostomy, and (4) absence of other recognized concurrent postoperative complications. The mean time of occurrence after construction of the continent ileostomy was 25 months (range 3-54 months). The mean length of follow-up of patients included in this analysis was 49 months from the time of continent ileostomy construction (range 22-101 months). Associated clinical symptoms included bloody effluent (53%), nausea or emesis (47%), and fever (42%). Endoscopic features were often nonspecific, with mucosal erythema (84%), edema (79%), friability (58%), and mucosal ulceration (53%) the most common. In those episodes of pouch ileitis where ileoscopy revealed no evidence of mucosal ulceration, complete resolution of the episode occurred 89% of the time, with 78% treated with antibiotics alone. In those episodes where mucosal ulceration was described on ileoscopy, 40% of episodes completely resolved after medical treatment, 20% with antibiotics alone. The varied clinical symptoms, endoscopic findings, and response to treatment raises the possibility that what has previously been described in the literature as pouch ileitis may be a heterogeneous group not of single etiology.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The 'ileal brake' after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis

The aim of this study was to assess if infusion of oleic acid into the ileal pouch would slow gastric emptying and small-bowel transit, delay defecation, and increase plasma levels of enteroglucagon, neurotensin, or peptide YY in patients with colectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. Eight subjects with chronic ulcerative colitis who had undergone the operation were studied on 2 consecutive days. On 1 day, saline (154 mM NaCl) was infused into the ileal pouch, and on the other day emulsified oleic acid (152 mM) was infused. The subjects ate a 300-kcal mixed meal containing liquid labelled with 99mTc-DTPA. To assess small-bowel transit concurrently with gastric emptying, a second marker, 111In-DTPA, was instilled through a tube into the duodenum at the end of the meal. Transit of both markers was monitored scintigraphically. Infusion of oleic acid into the ileal pouch slowed gastric emptying and small-bowel transit, and delayed the time to defecation compared with saline infusion. Neither the ileal pouch infusion alone or the meal alone altered plasma levels of enteroglucagon, neurotensin, or peptide YY, but the combination of the oleic acid infusion and the meal increased the levels of all 3 hormones. It was concluded that an "ileal brake" on gastrointestinal transit is functional following ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. Oleic acid placed into the ileal pouch slowed gastrointestinal transit and delayed defecation, effects which may have clinical application. The mechanism mediating the ileal brake may in part be hormonal.     

Endorectal mucosectomy, endorectal ileal pull-through and ileoanal anastomosis

Ileoanal anastomosis has evolved as a true alternative to proctocolectomy with permanent ileostomy over the past decade and has made a major impact on the operative treatment of patients with ulcerative colitis and familial polyposis. Experimental studies and clinical experience support the addition of a proximal ileal reservoir to the ileoanal anastomosis. Several types of reservoirs have been proposed of which the U-shaped reservoir has found the widest acceptance and the most frequent application. This reservoir constitutes an adequate replacement for the rectum by providing a low-pressure, compliant, peristaltically quiescent reservoir which still can be triggered to evacuate spontaneously at a reasonable threshold volume. Overall, the ileoanal anastomosis with proximal ileal reservoir fulfills the set clinical requirements: the underlying disease (polyposis, ulcerative colitis) is dealt with in a curative manner. An ileostomy is avoided. Anal continence is preserved. The operative procedure is safe and of comparable mortality and morbidity to the proctocolectomy with ileostomy. It is reasonable to expect that this procedure, i. e. ileoanal anastomosis with proximal ileal reservoir, will become the operation of choice for patients with ulcerative colitis and familial polyposis.     

Endoscopic treatment for pill bezoars after continent ileostomy

Difficulty intubation is the most common long-term complication after continent ileostomy, which can be associated with nipple valve slippage, parastomal hernia, stenosis. Diagnosis and management of a patient with nipple valve stricture and partial bowel obstruction associated with dietary supplement retention in the pouch reservoir is described. A 50-year-old female patient with ulcerative colitis and a 15-year history of continent ileostomy after total proctocolectomy reported 5-week symptoms of abdominal pain and difficulty in intubating the pouch. Pill bezoar composed of dietary supplement was found in diagnostic pouch endoscopy. Therapeutic pouch endoscopy was performed with balloon dilation of a nipple valve stenosis and retrieval of 224 dietary supplement tablets. Pill bezoar in the pouch is rare. However, patients with continent ileostomy should be advised to avoid taking hard-to-dissolve foods and medications.     

Secondary pouchitis in a post-operative patient with ulcerative colitis, successfully treated by salvage surgery

We report a case of secondary pouchitis, defined as a mucosal inflammatory lesion in the ileal reservoir provoked by pouch-related complication following total colectomy and pouch anal anastomosis, which was successfully treated by salvage surgery- A 20-year-old woman with ulcerative colitis developed acute severe bloody diarrhea following proctocolectomy, ileal pouch-anal anastomosis and diverting ileostomy. She was diagnosed as having a secondary pouchitis mainly caused by a peripouch abscess and partly concerned with the abnormal pouch formation. The remnant rectum and ileal pouch were excised and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis and diverting ileostomy were constructed. The postoperative course was uneventful with no sign of pouchitis. Salvage surgery may be indicated to treat secondary pouchitis when caused by surgery-related complications.     

Fecal bile acids,short-chain fatty acids,and bacteria after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis do not differ in patients with pouchitis

Construction of an ileal reservoir changes the fecal bacterial flora and the fecal composition of bile acids and short-chain fatty acids. We examined the relationships between pouch inflammation (pouchitis) and pouch content, as assessed by analysis of fecal bacteria, bile acids, and short chain fatty acids. Four groups were studied: ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) for ulcerative colitis with pouchitis (N=10), IPAA without pouchitis (N=5), IPAA for familial adenomatous polyposis without pouchitis (N=5); and Brooke ileostomy for ulcerative colitis, which served as controls (N=5). Pouchitis was defined as ≥7 points on an 18-point pouchitis disease activity index. Aerobic and anaerobic bacteria were quantitatively cultured. Total aqueous-phase bile acids were measured by thin-layer chromatography and an enzymatic 3α-OH hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase method. Fecal short chain fatty acids were measured by gas liquid chromatography. All patients with an IPAA had higher ratios of anaerobes/aerobes and concentrations of anaerobic gram-negative rods than did patients with an ileostomy. There were no other differences between patient groups with respect to bacteria, aqueous-phase total bile acids, or fecal short-chain fatty acids. Fecal concentrations of bacteria, bile acids, and short-chain fatty acids were similar in patients with and without pouchitis, indicating that these factors can not be the sole cause of pouchitis.     

Is an ileal pouch an alternative for patients requiring surgery for Crohn's proctocolitis?

Background Most surgeons consider Crohn's colitis to be an absolute contraindication for a continent ileostomy, due to high complication and failure rates. This opinion may, however, be erroneous. The results may appear poor when compared with those after pouch surgery in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), but the matter may well appear in a different light if the pouch patients are compared with Crohn's colitis patients who have had a proctocolectomy and a conventional ileostomy. Methods We assessed the long–term outcomes in a series of patients with Crohn's colitis who had a proctocolectomy and a continent ileostomy (59 patients) or a conventional ileostomy (57 patients). The median follow–up time was 24 years for the first group and 27 years for the second group. Results The outcomes in the two groups of patients were largely similar regarding both mortality and morbidity; the rates of recurrent disease and reoperation with loss of small bowel were also similar between groups. Conclusions The possibility of having a continent ileostomy, thereby avoiding a conventional ileostomy—even if only for a limited number of years—may be an attractive option for young, highly motivated patients.     

Intestinal Mucosa-Associated Microflora in Ulcerative Colitis Patients Before and After Restorative Proctocolectomy with an Ileoanal Pouch

Purpose  This study was designed to identify the mucosa-associated microflora in patients with severe ulcerative colitis before and after restorative proctocolectomy with ileoanal pouch construction in comparison with historic controls. Methods  Ten patients with a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis were evaluated. Mucus was collected during colonoscopy from all segments of the colon and terminal ileum before surgery, and from the ileal pouch two and eight months after ileostomy closure. The prevalence and mean concentration of the mucosa-associated microflora were compared over time and with historic controls. Results   Veillonella sp was the most prevalent bacterium in patients and controls. Klebsiella sp was significantly more prevalent in the ileum of controls, was not found in patients with ulcerative colitis, and after proctocolectomy returned to values found in controls. Some bacteria such as Enterobacter sp, Staphylococcus sp (coag-), Bacteroides sp (npg), Lactobacillus sp, and Veillonella sp had higher mean concentrations in the ileal pouch of patients after surgery than in controls. Conclusion  No bacterium was identified that could be exclusively responsible for the maintenance of the inflammatory process. The mucosa-associated microflora of patients with ulcerative colitis underwent significant changes after proctocolectomy with ileal pouch construction and returned to almost normal values for some bacteria. Presented at the meeting of the International Society of University Colon & Rectal Surgeons, Budapest, Hungary, June 6 to 10, 2004.     

Adenocarcinoma in the ileal pouch: late risk of cancer after restorative proctocolectomy

Restorative proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is the surgical treatment of choice for patients with ulcerative colitis. As a long-term complication of this procedure, chronic pouchitis impairs the outcome in a number of patients. Aneuploidia and dysplasia have been observed after long-lasting inflammation of ileal mucosa. The question arises whether chronic inflammation of ileal mucosa predisposes to malignant transformation similar to the situation in the chronically inflamed colon. Cancer of the ileal mucosa has been reported in patients with Brooke's ileostomy and in patients with Kock pouch but not as yet in those with an ileoanal pouch. We report a patient with carcinoma in an ileoanal pouch originating from terminal ileal mucosa who had been suffering from pancolitis with long-term backwash ileitis before, and from chronic pouchitis after, restorative proctocolectomy. This case demonstrates the importance of regular follow-up with pouchoscopy and random biopsies in all patients with long-standing inflammation of the ileal mucosa.