Twenty years of restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis in Beaumont Hospital

INTRODUCTION An ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the treatment of choice in selected patients to restore intestinal continuity following proctocolectomy. Data on IPAA in the Republic of Ireland is lacking, and surgery for IPAA has evolved over time. The aim of this retrospective study was to report our institutional outcomes from IPAA over a 20-year period. METHODS Data were retrospectively collated from consecutive primary IPAA cases between 1998 and 2017 at Beaumont Hospital. Patient demographics and operative approach were examined, and pouch failure was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS Ninety-five patients underwent IPAA over the study period with a mean follow-up of 9.4 ± 5.6 years. The mean age at IPAA was 35.9 ± 10.0 years, and 58.9% were male. The majority were performed in 3 stages (78.9%), were performed to treat ulcerative colitis (66.3%), were of a J-pouch configuration (96.8%), and had a stapled anastomosis (70.5%). On follow-up, 28.4% reported experiencing at least 1 episode of pouchitis and the 10-year pouch failure rate was 14%. In the last decile of the study period, the mean number of IPAA performed per year increased to 10.5 ± 2.1 (P = 0.013), the age of IPAA formation reduced (P = 0.049), and the proportion completed in a minimally invasive manner increased (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Acceptable long-term outcomes were observed by our institution. A recent increase in institutional volume, reduction in patient age, and increase in the proportion of cases performed laparoscopically have been identified.