Transanal Ileal Pouch: Is It Better?

Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the procedure of choice for patients with ulcerative colitis and select patients with Crohn's disease. Minimally invasive techniques have been increasingly adopted including the transanal approach. However there remains a dearth of comparative data assessing the technical advantages and outcomes of a transanal approach to the IPAA against other minimally invasive techniques. In this review, we describe our learned approach with the transanal IPAA (ta-IPAA) and highlight key technical steps for a successful surgery in addition to evaluating the current literature on surgical and functional outcomes of this relatively novel procedure. The ta-IPAA affords better visualization and access during a pelvic dissection translating to lower conversion rates. Lower odds of postoperative morbidity have been reported, but there was no difference in severity of complications when present. Though this technique has the advantages of a more accurate rectal transection obviating the need for multiple staple firings, the risk of anastomotic leak was similar between the two groups. Functional outcomes were found to be overall similar, though data is limited. The technical aspects of the IPAA have continued to evolve to mitigate the challenges posed by a deep pelvic dissection. While the ta-IPAA has been shown to be a safe and feasible procedure, the true advantages and functional benefits of this technique have yet to be elucidated with large-scale, quality data.