Colorectal Anastomotic Stenosis: Lessons Learned after 1643 Colorectal Resections for Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis

To evaluate the incidence, risk factors, and treatment of colorectal anastomotic stenosis in patients who undergo rectosigmoid resection for deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE).

Retrospective analysis of a prospective database (Canadian Task Force classification III).

Public medical center.

All women who underwent laparoscopic rectosigmoid resections for DIE at our hospital between January 2002 and December 2016.

All patients were evaluated clinically and endoscopically at 1 month and 3 months after bowel resection. Stenosis was defined as a lack of passage through the anastomosis of a 12-mm proctoscope. Symptomatic stenosis was defined as the presence of endoscopically confirmed stricture accompanied by at least 2 of the following symptoms: constipation, need to push, tenesmus, and ribbon stools. Only patients with symptomatic stenosis were studied. Demographic data, surgical techniques, and postoperative complications were recorded prospectively. Treatments and outcomes of anastomotic symptomatic strictures were analyzed.

A total of 1643 patients underwent laparoscopic rectosigmoid resection at our hospital between January 2002 and December 2016. Among these, 104 patients (6.3%) presented with symptomatic anastomotic stenosis. The median patient age was 27 years (range, 23-44 years), and the median interval between diagnosis and the onset of symptomatic stenosis was 57 days (range, 21-64 days). The only statistically significant predictors of anastomotic stenosis were the presence of ileostomy (p = .01) and previous pelvic surgery (p = .002). Treatment of choice was always conservative. Of the 104 patients in the study cohort, 90 (86.5%) underwent 3 endoscopic dilatations. No patient required reoperation.

The anastomotic stricture is a recognized complication in patients following intestinal resection for DIE, and protective ileostomy is the sole modifiable factor related to anastomotic stenosis. Endoscopic dilatation is a valid option to treat this complication.