Restorative Proctocolectomy in Ulcerative Colitis: Effect of Preoperative Immunomodulatory Therapy on Postoperative Complications and Pouch Failure

Background and Aims: Patients with ulcerative colitis are often treated with multiple immunomodulative agents to achieve remission. In refractory disease, the next option is frequently proctocolectomy with ileal pouch–anal anastomosis. No consensus exists as to whether immunomodulatory therapy at the time of ileal pouch surgery leads to any increase in postoperative complications. Our aim was to assess, in ulcerative colitis patients with restorative proctocolectomy, the effect of preoperative anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy and corticosteroids on postoperative complications and pouch failure.Materials and Methods: A retrospective medical record review of 445 patients with ulcerative colitis who underwent proctocolectomy with ileal pouch–anal anastomosis in Helsinki University Hospital between January 2005 and June 2016.Results: Anti-tumor necrosis factor agents were not associated with postoperative complications. Only high-dose corticosteroids (prednisolone ⩾20 mg or equivalent) were associated with higher incidence of anastomotic leak (12.6% vs 2.5%, P= 0.002) and wound dehiscence (4.2% vs 0%, P= 0.019), but pouch failure rate was no higher (2.1% vs 0%, P= 0.141) than in patients without corticosteroid treatment. A lower dosage of corticosteroids had no effect on early postoperative complications, but pouch failure rate was increased (4.4% vs 0%, P= 0.015).Conclusion: Corticosteroids, but not anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy, were associated with postoperative complications. Preoperative use of corticosteroids may increase pouch failure rate, but the risk is still minor in high-volume centers performing ileal pouch surgery.