Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Is Effective in the Treatment of Inflammatory and Fistulizing Pouch Complications

Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021 Jun;19(6):1288-1291. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2020.06.029. Epub 2020 Jun 19.

Abstract

Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the surgical treatment of choice for medically refractory ulcerative colitis. Pouch-related complications, such as pouchitis, cuffitis, or fistulae, occur in up to 50% of patients. Nearly 1 in 5 patients develop pouch-related complications refractory to medical therapy, including biologics. Hypoxia has been suggested as a trigger for these chronic refractory complications, and treating hypoxia may be of therapeutic benefit in this patient population. We investigated the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for patients with medically refractory pouch-related complications.

MeSH terms

  • Colitis, Ulcerative* / surgery
  • Colonic Pouches*
  • Humans
  • Hyperbaric Oxygenation*
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Pouchitis* / therapy
  • Proctocolectomy, Restorative*