Abstract
Background
There is disagreement amongst surgeons about the use of oral mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) prior to low anterior resection with diverting ileostomy. Colonic transit in the early post-operative period is an important factor in determining the role of MBP, as propagation of any stool remaining in the defunctioned colon may exacerbate morbidity in the event of anastomotic leak. We studied colonic transit time in the first 7 days following low anterior resection with diverting ileostomy.
Methods
We conducted a prospective observational study of patients with rectal cancer undergoing elective low anterior resection with diverting ileostomy in a tertiary colorectal unit. Twenty radio-opaque markers were inserted into the caecum via the distal limb of the loop ileostomy at surgery. Plain abdominal radiographs were taken on post-operative days 1, 3 and 5. The primary endpoint was passage of the markers to the neorectum. Data were collected on treatment, return of gastrointestinal function and complications.
Results
Twenty-two patients (mean age 68.5 years; 18 males) participated in the study. In 20 patients, all markers remained in the right colon on day 7. Three markers were present in the left colon in one patient, and eight markers were present in the neorectum in another patient, on the seventh day.
Conclusions
Colonic transit may be abolished by the presence of diverting ileostomy. It should now be established whether clearance of the left colon alone, using enemas, is sufficient for patients undergoing low anterior resection, thus avoiding the morbidity associated with oral MBP.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge Dr Elizabeth Wlodek and Mr Nikolaos Chatzizacharias who assisted in patient recruitment and data collection. They would also like to thank Mr Richard Miller, Mr Justin Davies, Mr Michael Powar and Mr Andrew Clark who supported the study through patient recruitment and carrying out the study intervention. The additional plain radiographs required for this study were funded by a grant from the Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust. The cost of the markers used was borne by the Cambridge Colorectal Research Fund.
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J. M. Ali and S. G. Rajaratnam have contributed equally to this manuscript.
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Ali, J.M., Rajaratnam, S.G., Upponi, S. et al. Colonic transit in the empty colon after defunctioning ileostomy: Do we really know what happens?. Tech Coloproctol 19, 165–172 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10151-015-1278-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10151-015-1278-5