title: Experience of a specialist centre in the management of anastomotic sinus following leaks after low rectal or ileal pouch-anal anastomosis with diverting stoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The natural history and appropriate management of anastomotic sinus has not been clearly defined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence, management and outcomes of anastomotic sinus.
  
  
  METHODS
  The medical records of all patients who underwent a low anterior resection (LAR) or an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) with a diverting loop ileostomy (LI) and with contrast enema performed before planned stoma closure between 2001 and 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. The radiological features of the sinus tract, treatment and outcome of anastomotic sinus were studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty patients (8.2%) were found to have anastomotic sinuses out of the total of 244 patients who had undergone LAR (n = 146) or IPAA (n = 98) with LI. Of these, 13 (65%) had prior symptomatic leaks, while seven did not. Twelve patients (60%) were found to have simple sinus tracts, while eight had complex sinuses (associated with either pelvic cavities or severe strictures). Five patients with simple tracts were treated with observation alone. Fifteen patients underwent surgical interventions. Overall, with a median follow-up of 28 (6-73) months, 16 patients (80%) had resolution of their sinuses. All of 12 patients (100%) with simple sinus tracts and four of eight patients (50%) with complex sinuses underwent successful stoma reversals after 8 (3.5-24) months following the initial surgery (P = 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with simple tracts are significantly more likely to have complete resolution of sinuses than patients with complex sinuses. Persistent sinus associated with either a pelvic cavity or severe stricture despite surgical intervention is likely to lead to a permanent stoma.
authors.affiliation: Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA; Department of Colorectal Surgery, Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhuo
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Trencheva
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Maggiori
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Milsom
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sonoda
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Shukla
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vitellaro
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Makino
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000601:surgery*; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D057868:Anastomotic Leak / Q000209:etiology; D039021:Colonic Pouches; D003287:Contrast Media; D004733:Enema; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007081:Ileostomy; D007082:Ileum / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: Low rectal anastomosis; anastomotic sinus; contrast enema study; ileal pouch-anal anastomosis; ileostomy; leak