Postoperative Steroid Taper Is Associated With Pelvic Sepsis After Ileal Pouch-anal Anastomosis

We hypothesized that postoperative oral steroid taper after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for inflammatory bowel disease would not be associated with pelvic septic complications.

Recent data has emphasized the possible association between biologic medication use and pelvic sepsis following ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. Limited contemporary data exist examining the effects of steroid use on these complications.

Consecutive patients undergoing ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for inflammatory bowel disease at a single institution from January 2009 to December 2013 were included. Factors associated with anastomotic leak and pelvic sepsis were assessed using univariate and multivariate analysis.

A total of 686 patients were included (mean age 39.5 years, 59% males). Postoperative oral steroid taper was associated with both anastomotic leak and pelvic sepsis on univariate analysis. Stress dose intravenous steroid use was not associated with complications. Multivariate analysis indicated total proctocolectomy (odds ratio [OR] 2.2; confidence interval [CI] 1.01-4.7, P = 0.047), and postoperative oral steroid taper (OR 2.3; CI 1.06-5.1; P = 0.035) as independent factors significantly associated with pelvic sepsis.

Prolonged postoperative oral steroid taper after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis should be avoided. If preoperative steroid weaning is not possible before a planned total proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis, patients should undergo an initial total abdominal colectomy.