Publications by authors named "Willem Bemelman"

Background: The surgical management of complicated diverticulitis varies across Europe. EAES members prioritized this topic to be addressed by a clinical practice guideline through an online questionnaire.

Objective: To develop evidence-informed clinical practice recommendations for key stakeholders involved in the treatment of complicated diverticulitis; to improve operative and perioperative outcomes, patient experience and quality of life through a systematic evidence-to-decision approach by a diverse, multidisciplinary panel.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: We performed a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) of individualized patient data (IPD) to inform the development of evidence-informed clinical practice recommendations.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central in October 2023 to identify RCTs comparing Hartmann's resection (HR), primary resection and anastomosis (PRA), or laparoscopic peritoneal lavage (LPL) among patients with class Ib-IV Hinchey diverticulitis. Outcomes of interest were prioritized by an international, multidisciplinary panel including two patient partners.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol improved perioperative colorectal care. Although the protocol is firmly implemented across hospital settings, there are benefits to gain by actively involving patients in their recovery. The main objective of this study was to investigate whether compliance with selected items in the ERAS protocol could further improve by using a patient-centred mobile application.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

In mice, intestinal tuft cells have been described as a long-lived, postmitotic cell type. Two distinct subsets have been identified: tuft-1 and tuft-2 (ref. ).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background And Aim: This study aims to evaluate the effect of time to Crohn's disease (CD) diagnosis on perianal fistula (PAF) outcomes in patients with a fistula as first manifesting sign.

Methods: In this multicenter, retrospective study, CD patients with a PAF preceding CD diagnosis between November 2015 and June 2022 were included. The primary outcome parameter was the time to CD diagnosis and its correlation with long-term outcomes.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

: Incidences of perianal fistulas (PAFs) as a first manifestation of Crohn's disease (CD) vary widely in the literature. Aim: To analyse the percentage of patients with a PAF preceding CD diagnosis and assess the time to diagnosis. : A systematic literature search was conducted.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Retrospective research suggests that excision of the affected mesentery can improve outcomes after an ileocoecal resection in Crohn's disease. However, prospective data from randomised controlled trials are scarce. We aimed to compare rates of postoperative recurrence in patients with Crohn's disease who underwent extended mesenteric resection.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: High-output intestinal fistulas and small bowel enterostomies are associated with morbidity and mortality. Current standard treatment for output reduction consists of fluid and dietary restrictions and medical therapy. There is conflicting evidence regarding the use of somatostatin analogues for output reduction.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: To assess the added value of 3-dimensional (3D) vision, including high definition (HD) technology, in laparoscopic surgery in terms of surgeon preference and clinical outcome.

Background: The use of 3D vision in laparoscopic surgery has been suggested to improve surgical performance. However, the added value of 3D vision remains unclear as a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing 3D vision including HD technology in laparoscopic surgery is currently lacking.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: Guidelines advise to perform endoscopic surveillance following ileocolic resection (ICR) in Crohn disease (CD) for timely diagnosis of recurrence. This study aims to assess the variation in endoscopic recurrence (ER) rates in patients after ICR for CD using the most commonly used classification systems, the Rutgeerts score (RS) and modified Rutgeerts score (mRS) classifications.

Methods: A systematic literature search using MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library was performed.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Fibrostenosis of the small bowel is common in patients with Crohn's disease. No consensus recommendations on definition, diagnosis and management in clinical practice are currently available. In this Consensus Statement, we present a clinical practice RAND/UCLA appropriateness study on the definition, diagnosis and clinical management of fibrostenosing Crohn's disease.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Anastomotic leakage (AL) remains a burdensome complication following colorectal surgery, with increased morbidity, oncological compromise, and mortality. AL may impose a substantial financial burden on hospitals and society due to extensive resource utilization. Estimated costs associated with AL are important when exploring preventive measures and treatment strategies.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] patients are at increased risk of developing colorectal neoplasia [CRN]. In this review, we aim to provide an up-to-date overview and future perspectives on CRN management in IBD. Advances in endoscopic surveillance and resection techniques have resulted in a shift towards endoscopic management of neoplastic lesions in place of surgery.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The primary treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) is medical therapy using a standard step-up approach. An appendectomy might modulate the clinical course of UC, decreasing the incidence of relapses and reducing need for medication. The objective of the ACCURE trial is to assess the efficacy of laparoscopic appendectomy in addition to standard medical treatment in maintaining remission in UC patients.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • This study focuses on comparing different types of surgical connections, called anastomoses, made after ileocolic resection in Crohn's disease patients, specifically looking at handsewn versus stapled techniques.
  • The experiment involves a randomized controlled trial with two international studies in the Netherlands and Italy, aiming to determine which technique leads to less endoscopic disease recurrence and better gastrointestinal function at 6 months post-surgery.
  • Primary outcomes include measuring endoscopic recurrence at 6 months and assessing secondary factors like morbidity, quality of life, and healthcare costs, with a goal of using 165 patients in the Netherlands and 189 in Italy for significant results.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Receiving a stoma significantly impacts patients' quality of life. Coping with this new situation can be difficult, which may result in a variety of physical and psychosocial problems. It is essential to provide adequate guidance to help patients cope with their stoma, as this positively influences self-efficacy in return.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Outcomes after ileocolonic resection in Crohn's disease [CD] are heterogeneous, and a clear definition of postoperative recurrence remains to be determined. Our Endpoints Working Group of the International Organization for the study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease [IOIBD] aimed to standardise postoperative outcomes, to discuss which endpoints should be used for postoperative clinical trials, and to define those which could be used in trials or registries.

Methods: Based on a systematic review of the literature, recommendations and statements were drafted and sent to all IOIBD members for a first round of voting.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background And Aims: An appendectomy for appendiceal inflammation has been suggested to ameliorate the clinical course of patients with ulcerative colitis [UC]. In contrast, for Crohn's disease [CD] an inverse association has been suggested with a higher incidence of CD and worse prognosis after appendectomy. The aim of this study was to analyse the clinical relevance of an inflamed appendix in CD patients undergoing ileocaecal resection [ICR].

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Approximately 1 in 10 patients with an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is diagnosed with Crohn's disease of the pouch (CDP). However, this diagnosis may be established inappropriately, as alternative underlying causes necessitating an alternative treatment approach, such as long-term surgical sequelae, may mimic CDP. In this study, we aimed to identify patients diagnosed with and treated for CDP with a (concurrent) alternative diagnosis.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Aim: Proper education, guidance and support is crucial before and following creation of a stoma. Patients with a stoma and their close relatives need to adapt to and cope with this new - and sometimes unforeseen - situation, which may result in insecurities and a variety of psychosocial problems. Self-efficacy is associated both with a reduction in psychosocial problems and with improved quality of life.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is most commonly performed by double-stapling technique after rectal transection with a linear stapler. Double-stapling is increasingly criticized for the uneven longer cuffs and potential weak points. A transanal rectal transection and single-stapled anastomosis may potentially overcome the limitations of double-stapling.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The PISA-II trial found that using short-term anti-TNF therapy followed by surgical closure results in better healing of perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease patients compared to anti-TNF therapy alone after 18 months.
  • This study involved long-term follow-up of patients from the PISA-II trial, with data collected from 91 participants across multiple hospitals in the Netherlands and Italy, focusing on the effectiveness of each treatment method.
  • Findings indicated that over a median follow-up period of 5.7 years, healing rates remained similar in both treatment groups, with a high percentage of participants remaining in the study.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients are at increased risk of advanced neoplasia (high-grade dysplasia or colorectal cancer). The authors aimed to (1) assess synchronous and metachronous neoplasia following (sub)total or proctocolectomy, partial colectomy or endoscopic resection for advanced neoplasia in IBD, and (2) identify factors associated with treatment choice.

Material And Methods: In this retrospective multicenter cohort study, the authors used the Dutch nationwide pathology databank (PALGA) to identify patients diagnosed with IBD and colonic advanced neoplasia (AN) between 1991 and 2020 in seven hospitals in the Netherlands.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF