Search

Surgical procedures for Crohn's disease of the small intestine, colon, or rectum were performed in 25 patients who were 65 years of age or older. In elderly patients with primarily small-bowel disease, good results were obtained uniformly by ileal resection and primary intestinal anastomosis. In 15 patients, Crohn's disease involved primarily the large intestine. Subtotal abdominal colectomy with end ileostomy restored health and permitted weight gain in six patients, although three required subsequent proctosigmoidectomy for recurrent rectal symptoms (average interval--18 months). Four patients underwent one-stage proctocolectomy, with one postoperative death and delayed healing of the perineal wound in the three survivors. Major complications frequently followed surgical procedures for suspected sigmoid diverticulitis in elderly patients with unrecognized Crohn's disease of the colon.

One hundred sixteen patients were reviewed after abdominal colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis (IRA) for familial polyposis to determine the rate of postoperative spontaneous regression of rectal polyps. The failure of the IRA procedure was correlated with the preoperative number of rectal polyps and the degree of rectal polyp regression. Spontaneous resolution of rectal polyps occurred in 64 percent of the patients (complete 38 percent, partial 26 percent). In those patients initially having complete resolution, 55 percent redeveloped polyps during follow-up. With a mean follow-up of 9.3 years, seven patients have developed rectal cancer. Rectal cancer development was more common in those patients who had innumerable rectal polyps prior to IRA. Initial polyp regression did not preclude later development of rectal cancer. There were 11 deaths during the follow-up period, but only one of these was from rectal cancer. Abdominal colectomy and IRA is an effective treatment for familial polyposis. Spontaneous regression of polyps occurred in 64 percent of patients, but continuous and complete follow-up is necessary to fulgurate recurrent polyps and to screen for the development of cancer.

Between the years 1965-1975, 564 patients underwent surgical treatment for cancer of the colon. The primary tumour was removed in 502 patients (89%) in all cases with a "no touch isolation" technique. The 5-year survival rate corrected for age was 64% in 546 operative survivors, and 82% in 413 patients operated with intent to cure. Survival analyses are presented classifying the spread of the tumour by the clinico-pathological method of Turnbull, the TNM method, the Astler-Coller method, Dukes' method. The results suggest that the Astler-Coller classification offers no advantage over that of Dukes' when predicting survival for patients after operation for cure, and that separating those patients considered to have evidence of invasion of an adjacent organ at operation (Turnbull's classification) from those patients without evidence of contiguous growth, is only justified if invasion of cancer is confirmed by histological examination of the resected specimen.

Fourteen patients with chronic constipation due to colonic inertia were treated with total abdominal colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation from 1981 to 1986. All patients were white women ranging in age from 28 to 64 years (mean 41 years). The duration of symptoms averaged 21 years (range six to 47 years) and the average time between bowel movements was ten days. The preoperative evaluation included barium enema in 12 patients and colonoscopy in five (some patients had both studies). Anorectal dysfunction was excluded by manometry in ten patients and by rectal biopsy in six. Colonic transit studies were accomplished in only two patients. The hospital stay averaged 13 days, and there was no operative mortality. Postoperative morbidity included one case of small bowel obstruction, necessitating operative correction on postoperative day 9. Follow-up ranged from three months to five years. At their last clinic visit, the patients averaged two bowel movements per day. All patients had excellent bowel control and were happy with the procedure.

One-hundred-twenty-seven patients with Crohn's disease of the large bowel underwent excisional surgery with the establishment of an ileostomy at the Cleveland Clinic between 1955 and 1973; the distribution of disease at this initial resection could be accurately determined. A mean follow-up period of 11 1/2 years has shown that the overall incidence of recurrence requiring resection was 27% and the cumulative risk of recurrence determined by actuarial methods was 44% (+/- 10.6%) at 19 years. Initial involvement of the terminal ileum in addition to the large bowel was associated with a significantly higher incidence of overall recurrence (p less than 0.05) and earlier postoperative recurrence (46% +/- 9% at 11 years), when compared with patients who had ileal sparing (23% +/- 5% at 11 years). This suggests that involvement of the terminal ileum in patients with Crohn's disease of the large bowel may be of prognostic importance. Of 101 patients who had a subtotal colectomy with rectal preservation, 58 subsequently underwent either rectal excision (46 patients), ileorectal anastomosis (six patients) or both of these operations (six patients); this high incidence of reoperation should not be confused with recurrence.

A prospective, randomized study was utilized to compare the effectiveness of a single dose of preoperative piperacillin versus triple-dose cefoxitin in prophylaxis for elective colorectal operations. All patients received a simple 1 day mechanical bowel preparation using 10 percent mannitol preparation administered orally. Ninety-four patients were entered into the study. Septic complications occurred in 9 percent of the piperacillin patients and in 12 percent of the cefoxitin patients.

A survey of 322 ileostomates was undertaken to assess the impact of an ileostomy and determine problems that are encountered by patients. Most patients (72 percent) felt they led normal lives with the ileostomy and encountered fewer restrictions in life-style than with their disease. However, only 35 percent of patients felt their ileostomies functioned perfectly. Skin irritation (49 percent), offensive noise and odor (42 percent), detection of the appliance (17 percent), and difficulty in handling the appliance (29 percent) were some of the problems encountered. Psychologic problems were related to poor body image (22 percent) and sterility or impotence (12 percent). All of these problems, however, were less than had been anticipated. Various sources of information were available to the ileostomate. However, about 50 percent of patients felt they received inadequate preoperative information or counseling.

One hundred four patients, 80 women and 24 men, with radiation injury of the rectum following treatment for gynecologic and urologic malignancy were studied. In 50 patients, the rectal injury was treated surgically; 54 patients were treated conservatively. The age and sex distributions were the same in each group. In 63 patients, symptoms developed one month to one year after radiotherapy. The longest latent interval was 17 years. Of the 50 surgical patients, 23 had associated small bowel injury. The indications for surgery for the rectal injury were 1) proctitis unresponsive to conservative measures in 14 patients, 2) rectal stricture or fistula or both in 32, and 3) rectosigmoid perforation in four. Forty-one patients had external diversions. Eleven had intestinal continuity restored; six of the 11 had required the stoma for proctitis unresponsive to medical measures. Nineteen patients did not undergo colostomy closure, although symptoms wer greatly improved. Diversion alone was insufficient treatment in the remaining 11 patients. Twenty-six patients died. The 12 deaths in the surgical group comprised four due to residual malignancy, four from postoperative complications, and four from unrelated causes. Of the 14 deaths in the nonsurgical group, 11 died of the primary malignancy and three of unrelated causes. Diversion is considered the safest form of treatment for rectovaginal fistulae, rectal strictures, and proctitis unresponsive to medical measures. Intestinal resection resulted in sharp rise in the morbidity and mortality rates.

We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 55 patients with ischiorectal abscesses treated from 1980 to 1983 at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. The patients were treated by placement of a 10F to 16F soft latex mushroom catheter into the abscess cavity under local anesthesia as an office procedure. The end of the catheter was shortened to leave 2 to 3 cm exiting the skin, and a bandage was applied. No sutures or irrigations were used, and the drains were removed an average of 12 days after placement. Antibiotics were not given. The patients ranged in age from 17 to 76 years (mean, 40 years) and 36% were female. Four patients had diabetes, and eight had a history of inflammatory bowel disease. Nine patients had been treated previously for anorectal abscesses. There were no complications. Adequate follow-up was obtainable in 31 patients (ten to 63 months; mean, 30 months). Eight of them (26%) were subsequently treated for fistulas found after resolution of the abscess, and an additional eight (26%) had a second abscess form during the follow-up period. The average time to this recurrence was 20 months. Catheter drainage of ischiorectal abscess in selected cases resulted in healing with low morbidity and significant cost savings.

Our experience with closure of loop ileostomies between the years 1975-1986 was reviewed. Ninety-three percent of stoma closures were done by simple transverse suture. The overall complication rate was 17%. Of the early postoperative complications (13%), the major complication was small bowel obstruction especially in patients where the stoma was protecting a pelvic ileal reservoir. Abdominal septic complications (postclosure) were rare (1%). These were generally caused by unrecognized enteric tears during the mobilization of the stoma rather than anastomotic leakage. A careful operative technique is required. The wound infection rate after healing by both secondary intention and primary skin closure was low (3%) and mainly superficial. Only one incisional hernia was observed in the late postoperative period. In three patients a posterior rectus sheath defect at the stoma site was found incidentally at laparotomy, without clinical evidence of an incisional hernia. Closure of a loop ileostomy is a safe operation with a low morbidity. In patients with a previous total colectomy there was a significant risk of small bowel obstruction after ileostomy closure.

Eight patients (seven male and one female) with symptomatic postoperative perineal hernias treated at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation from 1975 to 1986 are reviewed. The patients ranged in age from 43 to 68 years (mean, 61 years). Seven had previous abdominoperineal resections of the rectum and one had a pelvic exenteration. The first two patients underwent repair via a perineal approach and both had recurrences of their hernias. These recurrences, as well as the presenting hernias in the six later patients, were repaired with mesh placed through an abdominal approach. Of these, there was one recurrence, which was repaired via an abdominal approach. There was no operative mortality. Based on experience, the authors believe that the best method of repair for this uncommon problem, involves placement of Marlex mesh across the pelvic inlet through an abdominal approach. This allows attachment of the mesh to the lateral musculature and posterior sacral periosteum under direct vision. The anterior borders of the mesh can be secured to the apex of the vaginal or prostatic tissue. The placement of metallic clips to the edges of the mesh allows for confirmation of the mesh position by radiographic examination during follow-up.

A prospective randomized trial was performed to assess the effectiveness of 10% mannitol, oral neomycin, and intravenous cefotaxime in preventing septic complications following elective colonic and rectal surgery in 99 patients. In each of the three regimens, 10% mannitol and oral neomycin were given preoperatively. In regimen 1 (34 patients) intravenous cefotaxime was given perioperatively. In regimen 2 (33 patients) cefotaxime was given perioperatively and for 24 hours postoperatively. Regimen 3 (32 patients) was the same as regimen 2 except that cefazolin sodium was substituted for cefotaxime. Septic complications developed in one patient each on regimens 1 and 3. There were no infections in the patients on regimen 2. This study demonstrates that bowel preparation with 10% mannitol and oral neomycin, coupled with a short perioperative course of cefotaxime or cefazolin sodium, is effective in controlling the septic complications of elective colorectal surgery, and the combinations are simple, safe, and cost effective.

The effect of 1-day mechanical bowel preparation with 10% mannitol combined with oral neomycin and short-term perioperative intravenous Flagyl (group I) was studied in a prospective, randomized, double-blind study and was compared with oral neomycin and an intravenous placebo (Group II). Thirty-one patients were evaluated in group I (Flagyl), and there was a 0% septic complication rate. Thirty-seven patients were in the neomycin placebo group (group II), which had a septic complication rate of 22%. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant. No complications were observed from either the 10% mannitol solution or the intravenous Flagyl at either clinical, hematologic, or biochemical assessment. The study indicates that 1-day mechanical bowel preparation with 10% mannitol combined with oral neomycin and short-term, perioperative, intravenous Flagyl is a safe, effective, and inexpensive method for significantly reducing the septic complications of elective colorectal surgical resections.

Although en bloc resection for contiguous invasion by adenocarcinoma of the colon is a well-recognized principle, it is difficult to assess the efficacy of this principle when upper abdominal viscera are involved. This study was undertaken to better define this subgroup. Seventeen patients were studied over a period of 20 years who underwent extended resections for colonic adenocarcinoma with upper abdominal organ invasion. The age range was 30 to 81 years (average, 61 years). There was a male-to-female ratio of greater than 2:1. The duration of presenting symptoms was as short as 4 days and as long as 18 months (average, 4.3 months). The most common complaint was weight loss (13/17). The next most common complaints were abdominal pain (10/17), bowel complaints (5/17), and septic symptoms (4/17). A single organ was involved in 7 instances, but multiple organs were involved in most cases. The frequency of involvement was the stomach, spleen, and duodenum (5 each), abdominal wall and diaphragm (4 each), pancreas and liver (3 each). There were 2 perioperative deaths and 9 other major complications. The most common cause of morbidity and mortality was septic in nature in 8 of the 11 instances. All 3 patients with pancreatic resections had postoperative complications; none were fatal. Five patients survived over 10 years, three were 5-year survivors, and two are living and free of disease at less than 5 years. Excluding the two perioperative deaths, four of the five patients who died in less than 5 years had documented recurrences.

In a prospective open study of the Proximate ILS circular stapler, the results of 125 intestinal anastomoses in 119 patients were reviewed. Intraoperative leakage was observed in five instances, after intraluminal povidone instillation, necessitating suture-line reinforcement. In three instances, incomplete tissue rings (donuts) were found. Temporary fecal diversion was used in seven of 84 patients with anastomoses made to the rectum or anal canal. Roentgenographic assessment of 79 of these anastomoses using Gastrografin demonstrated a leak in three (3.8%). There was one clinical leak (0.9%) in the series. Three patients died (2.5%), none from anastomotic complications. Transient anastomotic strictures were found in three of 82 operative survivors where the anastomosis was within range of the proctoscope. There were no instances of significant hemorrhage from the anastomosis. No patient required anastomotic revision, and of the 51 survivors of cancer surgery where proctoscopy could evaluate the anastomosis, there was no evidence of local recurrence in the period of follow up (mean 16.3 months). The authors conclude: that the Proximate ILS is a safe, reliable and effective instrument for construction of intestinal anastomoses.

In a retrospective review of 311 patients having subtotal colectomy for ulcerative colitis, information on the fate of the rectal stump was obtained in 288. Proctectomy was performed in 159 patients (55 percent); for persistent proctitis in 118 (41 percent), cancer prophylaxis in 37 (13 percent), and cancer in four (1.4 percent). One hundred twenty-two patients (42 percent) had ileorectal anastomoses. Eighty-four of these (69 percent) retained a functioning ileorectal anastomosis at the time of follow-up or death, one to 22 years later, and an additional six patients (5 percent) had a satisfactory ileorectal anastomosis for five to 14 years before proctectomy. Cancer developed in the rectal stump in nine patients (3.1 percent), underscoring the need for either proctectomy (total or mucosal) or long-term surveillance of the retained rectum. However, subtotal colectomy, by permitting ileorectal anastomosis or other sphincter-preserving surgery at a later date, does have a definite place in many patients requiring surgery for ulcerative colitis.

As in any operation for IBD, colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis should be performed only after every effort has been made to control the disease medically. Only in uncontrolled disease should early proctectomy be advised on the grounds of lack of normal physical development and sexual immaturity. Ileorectal anastomosis should not be performed upon every patient requiring surgical treatment any more than proctocolectomy and ileostomy should be performed upon every patient. Unless there is severe persistent disease of the rectum or destruction of the anal sphincter, the rectum should be preserved because severe ulcerative proctitis may heal or improve postoperatively with further medical treatment. If further surgical treatment is necessary, conversion to an ileostomy can be undertaken, and there are now other alternatives, such as the continent ileostomy and the ileoanal anastomosis, with or without a pelvic pouch.

A case of solitary cecal ulcer with major hemorrhage followed by perforation after treatment with intra-arterial vasopressin in a patient with end-stage renal failure is presented. Though vasopressin has been used with success in the treatment of colonic hemorrhage, caution should be applied in patients with a bleeding cecal ulcer as the vasoconstriction produced by vasopressin may cause perforation in an area whose blood supply is already compromised.

A retrospective review was conducted of 326 patients undergoing intersphincteric rectal excision for ulcerative colitis. Seventy-five patients (Group A) had rectal excision with closure of the pelvic peritoneum and packing of the pelvic space via an open perineal wound. One hundred sixty-nine patients (Group B) had excision without pelvic peritoneal closure, but with the levators and subcutaneous tissue closed and with transabdominal sump suction drainage of the pelvic space. Complete healing for Groups A and B occurred by three months in 42 and 79 percent, respectively, and by six months in 56 and 89 percent. Thirty-one percent of Group A and 9 percent of Group B were unhealed at one year, and/or required further surgery. When all 326 patients were considered, healing was achieved at three, six, and 12 months, for packed and for closed wounds, in 42 percent and 79 percent, 55 percent and 89 percent, 66 percent and 91 percent, respectively. All these differences are highly significant (P less than 0.0001). The incidence of small-bowel obstruction requiring surgery during follow-up was similar whether the pelvic peritoneum was closed (15.5 percent) or left open (15.7 percent). Other factors which adversely affected perineal wound healing were younger age, a short history of disease, a two-stage proctocolectomy especially for persistent severe rectal disease, and the presence of perianal disease.

The long-term outcome of Crohn's disease was reviewed in 139 patients who were treated at the Cleveland Clinic for a minimum of 15 years. At the time of diagnosis, 38 (27 percent), 39 (28 percent) and 62 (43 percent) patients had small-bowel, large-bowel, and ileocolic patterns of disease, respectively. The disease progressed with time and, eventually, 104 (75 percent) patients had ileocolic disease. One hundred twenty-two patients (88 percent) underwent at least one definitive operation for the disease. Forty-four (32 percent) patients had proctocolectomies and 65 (47 percent) have ileostomies. Associated manifestations of Crohn's disease occurred in a high proportion of patients; perianal disease in 78 (56 percent), intestinal fistulas in 45 (32 percent), extraintestinal disease in 49 (35 percent). Six patients died of causes directly related to the disease. Specific complications tend to occur at definite times in the course of the disease. Crohn's disease is not a benign condition. There is a relentless progression of the disease and a high incidence of complications when patients are followed over a long period.

A retrospective study was undertaken, evaluating 54 patients who underwent 57 Ripstein procedures at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation during the years 1963-1978. The patients were evaluated for their preoperative characteristics as well as early and late postoperative results. Patients who experience procidentia are generally middle-aged women who have had previous gynecologic and anorectal surgery and who generally had significant disorders of bowel function. Although the operative mortality was zero, and the majority of patients were satisfied with the results of their Ripstein procedure, there was significant operative morbidity (26 per cent). Twelve and one-half per cent of patients had recurrent rectal prolapse, and 18 per cent of patients had significant long-term obstructive symptoms. The Ripstein procedure still remains the treatment of choice for rectal prolapse.

In a retrospective review, 62 patients treated for rectal cancer by contact (endocavitary) irradiation at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation were analyzed. This treatment modality delivers high dose, low penetration irradiation to a rectal cancer by direct contact of a 50 KV x-ray source through a special proctoscope. Cancers selected for this treatment include small (3 cm or less), mobile tumors without presacral lymphadenopathy that are within reach of digital examination and are well- or moderately well-differentiated adenocarcinomas. Between 1973 and 1984, 62 patients (37 males, 25 females) were treated--46 by contact irradiation alone and 16 by contact irradiation after excisional biopsy. The median tumor dose was 12,000 rads administered in four fractions at monthly intervals. Mean follow-up was 31 months. Fifty-six patients (90 percent) were disease-free at the time of review or death (ten died from unrelated causes). Eleven patients (18 percent) developed local recurrence but eight of these without distant metastases were rendered disease-free by other treatment--six by surgical resection and two by further radiotherapy. Mean time since secondary treatment is 20 months. Three patients are alive with incurable disease and three have died from cancer--in three of these six patients there was no evidence of local disease. Ulcerated tumors developed local recurrence in five of 17 cases (29 percent) while polypoid tumors recurred locally in six cases (14 percent). Morbidity from the treatment was minor in nature. It is suggested that contact (endocavitary) irradiation is effective treatment for carefully selected cases of rectal cancer.

A comparison, based on results from anal manometry and continence, was made between eight patients after circular stapled ileal J-pouch-anal anastomosis without mucosectomy (Js) and seven patients after endoanal mucosal proctectomy and hand-sewn ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (Jm). The mean and range from ileostomy closure were 3.5 months (1.5 to 12) and 21.7 months (13 to 32), respectively. The mean maximum resting pressure (MRP) ( +/- SEM and range) was 81.3 mm Hg ( +/- 6.0 and 61 to 112.5) and 50.0 mm Hg ( +/- 6.2 and 17 to 62.5), respectively, for the Js and Jm groups (P less than .003). None of the Js patients experienced leakage or wore a pad, while in the Jm group 14 percent experienced minor leakage during the day and 28 percent at night. Seventy-one percent of the Jm group wore a pad at some point. Anal sphincter resting pressures and continence were better in the Js group. The improvement in MRP resulted from avoidance of injury to the internal and sphincter during dilatation and mucosectomy and the maintenance of a normal anal canal that allowed for proper closure.

Desmoid tumors are locally invasive, nonmetastasizing fibrous tumors most frequently seen in patients with familial polyposis coli (FPC). Of 325 patients with FPC treated at the Cleveland Clinic, 29 (8.9%) were found to have a total of 36 desmoid tumors. These tumors occur in young patients (mean age: 29.8 years), particularly women (ratio 3:1), and most appeared after previous colectomy (86%). The majority (72% of all desmoids, 90% of patients) were located within the abdomen, specifically within the mesentery of the small intestine. In most cases, attempts at surgical resection were followed by recurrence, and other previous treatments were similarly ineffective. Six of the 29 patients (21%) died from the desmoid and three died from other causes. The recent use of sulindac (Clinoril) has produced some early encouraging results in four patients with these tumors that have proven so difficult to treat in the past.

The records of 1,040 patients with 1,440 villous and tubulovillous adenomas of the colon and rectum treated at the Cleveland Clinic over a 21 year period were reviewed. The incidence of invasive adenocarcinoma was higher in patients with multiple adenomas at the time of presentation, in patients with a family history of colorectal cancer, and in those with adenomas greater than 4 cm in diameter. Eighty percent of the adenocarcinomas were Dukes' A or B, 15 percent were Dukes' C, and 5 percent presented with distant metastases. Clinical impression on examination was more accurate than biopsy in assessing the presence of malignancy in these tumors. Recurrence after local treatment of both benign and malignant tumors was high. Recurrence was significantly related to the size of the adenoma (more common when the tumor was more than 4 cm in diameter), location (more common when it was located in the rectum), and the type of treatment. Only 4 percent of the patients had died from colorectal cancer at the time of follow-up. The overall 5 year actuarial survival rate was 85 percent.

Thirty-three patients with perianal Bowen's disease were treated at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation from 1954 to 1986. Twenty-one patients were women and 12 were men, ranging in age from 30 to 69 years (mean, 48 years). Twenty patients (61 percent) presented with symptomatic perianal disease, while 13 patients (39 percent) were noted as having perianal Bowen's disease upon pathologic examination of routine hemorrhoidectomy specimens. Ten of the patients (30 percent) had prior histories of unrelated cancer. Twenty-seven patients were managed by wide local excision, three patients by simple excision, three patients by fulguration, and one patient by an abdominoperineal resection. During a follow-up period averaging 3.7 years (range, 0.3 to 10 years), one patient developed a new invasive skin cancer while a second patient experienced a recurrence of perianal Bowen's disease. The characteristic gross appearance of this lesion and its failure to respond to conventional therapy should prompt the performance of a biopsy, which readily establishes the diagnosis. This experience confirms that wide local excision is adequate therapy for perianal Bowen's disease and that close clinical follow-up is necessary to identify disease recurrence or the development of a malignancy.

This is a retrospective review of 58 patients undergoing surgery for anal incontinence at the Cleveland Clinic. Forty-four patients had overlapping sphincter repairs, nine had postanal repairs, three had a combination of overlapping repair and postanal repair and two had Silastic slings. An associated loop colostomy or ileostomy was performed in 19 patients (33%). Satisfactory continence was attained in 86% of patients with direct sphincter injury (overlapping sphincter repairs) and this is comparable with the experience of others. These results with the postanal repair for patients with neurogenic incontinence were poor, however, as four of the nine were complete failures. Poor results were directly related to the age of the patient (P less than 0.0001) and the duration of incontinence (P less than 0.02). It was concluded that direct sphincter injury (obstetric, operative or traumatic) is effectively treated by an overlapping sphincter repair. Incontinence secondary to a degenerative neuropathy affecting the anal sphincter mechanism, however, whether it occurs in conjunction with a pre-existing sphincter injury or alone, is often not cured by surgery, that is, by postanal repair.

Five patients who would have been unable to survive because of intestinal complications of radiation therapy were able to lead an otherwise normal life with the use of parenteral nutrition administered at home. One patient died of recurrent carcinoma of the cervix after 14 months. Another patient died as the result of a totally avoidable pharmaceutical error after 2 1/2 years. The remaining three are still disease free without morbidity relating to the parenteral nutrition.

Fifty patients with fibrotic small bowel strictures secondary to long-standing Crohn's disease underwent a total of 225 strictureplasties during the period from June 1984 to July 1988. Forty-two patients (84%) presented with obstructive symptoms. Patients had a 1- to 30-year history of Crohn's disease (mean, 14 years). Sixty-two per cent of patients were taking steroids at the time of admission, and 70% had had previous small bowel resections. All patients had one or more areas of small bowel affected with a fibrotic stricture and partial obstruction. Short strictures were treated by Heinecke-Mikulicz strictureplasties, and longer strictures by Finney side-to-side strictureplasties. In 30 patients (60%), 6- to 65-cm segments of small bowel were also resected due to acute inflammation with phlegmon or fistulae. Patients were discharged from the hospital 5 to 20 days after operation (mean, 10 days). After operation all patients with obstructive symptoms reported relief of symptoms and weight gain. Steroid doses could be tapered and nutritional parameters, such as total lymphocyte count, and serum albumin improved. Strictureplasty had 0% mortality and 16% morbidity rates. Complications included 3 enterocutaneous fistulae, 2 intra-abdominal abscesses, 2 hemorrhages requiring transfusion, 1 prolonged postoperative ileus that could be treated conservatively in 2 patients, and 1 restricture of a strictureplasty. Patients were followed for 1 to 40 months after operation (mean, 8 months). Resection of small bowel disease, especially that associated with perforation, is usually required in Crohn's disease. However, strictureplasty minimizes the need for bowel resection in patients with short fibrotic strictures resulting in recurrent small bowel obstruction.

Ileorectal anastomosis is a safe operation with low mortality and morbidity and offers a good prospect for success in many patients with ulcerative colitis. The functional results are good in the majority of patients, and there is a high level of patient acceptance. There is a low cancer risk with regular surveillance, but there is a relative contraindication for ileorectal anastomosis in patients with colon cancer or dysplasia present at the time of colectomy. For many patients, especially children and adolescents in their formative years and for young adults, it avoids or delays an ileostomy and avoids the risk of postoperative sexual dysfunction, while at the same time still permits the elective use of some other continence-preserving operation at a later date.

To evaluate the outcome of surgery for ulcerative colitis in pediatric and adolescent patients, the experience at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation was reviewed retrospectively. Fifty-nine percent of the patients presented with acute toxic colitis and sepsis; 94 percent underwent staged procedures with creation of a temporary or permanent ileostomy. Sepsis was the most frequent postoperative complication (38 percent), and accounted for all three deaths (5 percent). Long-term disability was minimal, and 90 percent of the patients were fully active at the time of follow-up.

A case of an aorto-appendicular, aorto-enteric fistula diagnosed by colonoscopy after presentation with colonic haemorrhage is reported. The role of colonoscopy in such patients is discussed and reported experience is reviewed.

There may be intestinal involvement during any procedure within the abdominal or pelvic cavity. Anticipation of this involvement with preoperative bowel preparation and a basic plan to meet the circumstances will minimize potential problems both in planned and unplanned situations. This article addresses the most common situations seen in urologic practice and describes the techniques to deal with them.

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)