Ileal pouch anal anastomosis in pediatric familial adenomatous polyposis: A 24-year review of operative technique and patient outcomes

Background

Total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the operative procedure of choice for familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) patients. We review 24 years of operative experience and outcomes in pediatric patients with FAP.

Methods

Patients with FAP, age < 20 years, presenting to a single institution between 1987 and 2011 were included. Operative technique and outcomes were reviewed retrospectively. Primary outcomes included postoperative complications (30 days), long-term bowel function, and polyp recurrence at the anal anastomosis.

Results

95 patients with FAP underwent IPAA. Mean age at IPAA was 15.5 years with a mean follow-up of 7.6 years. 29 patients underwent 1-stage IPAA, 65 patients had a two-stage IPAA, and 1 patient underwent a 3-stage procedure. 67 patients had an open procedure, 25 underwent a laparoscopic approach, and more recently 3 patients underwent single incision laparoscopic IPAA. Patients with 1-stage IPAA demonstrate better long term bowel control vs. 2-stage IPAA patients (10.7% vs. 36.0% occasional incontinence, p = 0.018). However, 1-stage IPAA patients suffered increased short-term complications, such as anastomotic leak (17.2% vs. 0%, p = 0.002) and reoperation (20.7% vs. 4.6%, p = 0.02) compared to 2-stage IPAA. Anal anastomosis polyp recurrence occurred in 22.7% of 1-stage patients and 10.0% of 2-stage patients. Short-term complications, polyp recurrence, or long-term continence were equivalent between open and laparoscopic cases.

Conclusion

Single-stage IPAA in children with FAP is associated with better bowel control but increased anastomotic leak, reoperative rate, and polyp recurrence. In experienced hands, laparoscopic IPAA is equivocal to open IPAA.