Is Conversion of a Failed IPAA to a Continent Ileostomy a Risk Factor for Long-term Failure?

A continent ileostomy may be offered to patients in hopes of avoiding permanent ileostomy. Data on the outcomes of continent ileostomy patients with a history of a failed IPAA are limited.

This study aimed to assess whether a history of previous failed IPAA had an effect on continent ileostomy survival and the long-term outcomes.

This was a retrospective cohort study.

This investigation took place in a high-volume, specialized colorectal surgery department.

Patients who underwent continent ileostomy construction after IPAA failure between 1982 and 2013 were evaluated and compared with patients who have no history of IPAA surgery.

Functional outcomes and long-term complications were compared.

A total of 67 patients fulfilled the case-matching criteria and were included in the analysis. Requirement of major (52% vs 61%; p = 0.756) and minor (15% vs 19%; p = 0.492) revisions were comparable between patients who had continent ileostomy after a failed IPAA and those who had continent ileostomy without having a previous restorative procedure. Intubations per day (5 vs 5; p = 0.804) and per night (1 vs 1; p = 0.700) were similar in both groups. Our data show no clear relationship between failure of continent ileostomy and history of failed IPAA (p = 0.638). The most common cause of continent ileostomy failure was enterocutaneous/enteroenteric fistula (n = 14). Six patients died during the study period because of other causes unrelated to continent ileostomy.

This study was limited by its retrospective and nonrandomized nature.

Converting a failed IPAA to a continent ileostomy did not worsen continent ileostomy outcomes in this selected group of patients. When a redo IPAA is not feasible, continent ileostomy can be offered as an alternative to conventional end ileostomy in highly motivated patients. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A803.