Early reconstruction of the leaking ileal pouch-anal anastomosis: a novel solution to an old problem

The study aimed to determine the effectiveness and direct medical costs of early surgical closure of the anastomotic defect after a short course of Endo-sponge® therapy of the presacral cavity, compared with conventional treatment in patients with anastomotic leakage after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA).

Patients with anastomotic leakage after IPAA undergoing early surgical closure of the anastomotic defect after a short Endo-sponge® treatment were prospectively followed and compared with a consecutive cohort of patients with an anastomotic leak treated by creation of a loop ileostomy and occasional drainage of the presacral cavity.

A total of 15 patients were treated with early surgical closure and 29 were treated conventionally. In the early surgical closure group, the Endo-sponge® treatment was continued for a median of 12 days [interquartile range (IQR) 7-15 days] with a median of 3 (IQR 2-4) Endo-sponge® changes. Secondary anastomotic healing was achieved in all patients (n = 15) in the early surgical closure group compared with 52% (n = 16) in the conventional treatment group (P = 0.003). Closure of the anastomotic defect was achieved after a median of 48 (25-103) days in the early surgical closure group compared with 70 (IQR 49-175) days in the conventional treatment group (P = 0.013). A functional pouch was seen in 93% and 86% of the patients in each group. There was no significant difference in direct medical cost.

Early surgical closure after a short period of Endo-sponge® treatment is highly effective in treating anastomotic leakage after IPAA without increasing cost.