title: Stapled restorative proctocolectomy in children with refractory ulcerative colitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to review the results after stapled restorative proctocolectomy among children with refractory ulcerative colitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical records of 16 consecutive children with refractory ulcerative pancolitis undergoing colectomy and stapled straight ileoanal anastomosis at a median age of 8.3 years (range, 3.1-14.9 years) were reviewed. Periodical clinical examinations and endoscopies with biopsies above (terminal ileum) and below (columnar cuff) the anastomosis were carried out during follow-up. Median follow-up after bowel restoration lasted 5.3 years (range, 1.2-9.6 years).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two major complications occurred (12.5%), 1 episode of sepsis treated conservatively and 1 bowel perforation proximal to the anastomosis treated with a temporary diverting ileostomy. All the anastomoses were functional at the end of the study. The columnar cuff averaged 2.6 cm in length and presented signs of persistent inflammation (cuffitis) in 94% of children. Inflammation responded poorly to any medical treatment but was symptomatic in 1 case only. Ileal inflammation was detected endoscopically in 31% of patients and histologically in 62.5%. No case of dysplasia or cancer was recorded. At final follow-up, children had an average of 7.1 +/- 3.1 bowel movements per day; full daytime and nighttime continence were achieved in 87.5% and 62.5% of cases, respectively. A severe inflammation of the columnar cuff was associated with an increased risk of nighttime incontinence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stapled ileoanal anastomosis in children with pancolitis is associated with low morbidity. Refractory cuffitis persists in almost all patients but is mostly asymptomatic, although it could be associated with nighttime incontinence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Surgery, G. Gaslini Research Institute, University of Genoa, 16147-Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Girolamo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mattioli
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Castagnetti
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gandullia
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Torrente
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jasonni
authors.forename: Arrigo V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Barabino
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000601:surgery; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000601:surgery*; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D005242:Fecal Incontinence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007082:Ileum / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016737:Proctocolectomy, Restorative / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013537:Sutures; D016896:Treatment Outcome