Delayed Kock pouch nipple valve failure: is revision indicated?

Purpose: This study was designed to review our experience with patients who, after more than 10 years of normal Kock pouch valve function, required repair of the valve. In addition, we describe the surgical techniques employed for valve repair.

Methods: A retrospective chart review identified 31 patients who underwent Kock pouch revision after a minimum time interval between previous pouch surgery and the current revision of 10 (average, 19.

Does infliximab influence surgical morbidity of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis in patients with ulcerative colitis?

Purpose: Since infliximab has been approved for treatment of patients with refractory ulcerative colitis, surgeons will be increasingly faced with operating on patients who have failed therapy with this potent immunosuppressant. This study was designed to compare short-term complications in patients with ulcerative colitis who were treated with and without infliximab before colectomy.

Methods: The charts of patients undergoing ileal pouch-anal anastomosis or subtotal colectomy for refractory ulcerative colitis during the five-year period ending October 2005 were reviewed.

Can a meta-analysis answer the question: is mucosectomy and handsewn or double-stapled anastomosis better in ileal pouch-anal anastomosis?

Although ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the procedure of choice for polyposis and ulcerative colitis with medically refractory disease or dysplasia, controversy exists concerning whether mucosal preservation with double-stapled (DS) IPAA is superior to mucosectomy and handsewn (HS) IPAA anastomosis for postoperative function. Prospective studies have shown no statistically significant differences. The use of meta-analysis can strengthen statistical power by combining the data from related studies.