Adenomas at resection margins do not influence the long-term development of pouch polyps after restorative proctocolectomy for familial adenomatous polyposis

Background The aim of this study was to consider whether adenomas in the resection margins could represent a risk factor for pouch polyps in familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) patients. Methods We reviewed 46 patients treated by restorative proctocolectomy (RPC) for FAP: 9 hand-sewn and 37 stapled ileal pouch–anal anastomosis (IPAA). We analyzed the presence of polyps in the doughnuts from stapled anastomosis and in the resection margins from hand-sewn anastomosis. The presence of polyps in the IPAA was then assessed in 30 patients (6 hand-sewn and 24 stapled IPAA): 4 from the histology of the excised pouch and 26 by endoscopy (range 4 months to 12 years after operation, mean 6 years). Results Surprisingly, pouch adenomas were found in only 2 of 30 (7%) of patients, 1 of 6 hand-sewn and 1 of 24 stapled anastomosis (P > 0.1), 9 and 11 years, respectively, after operation. However, there were 6 patients with inflammatory (3), fibroepithelial (2), or lymphoid (1) polyps. The risk of pouch adenomas after 8 years was 20% (P < 0.05). Pouch adenomas were found in 1 of 11 patients having adenomas in the margins or in the doughnuts (9%) and in 1 of 19 with no adenomas at the margins (5%; P > 0.1). Conclusions Incidence of pouch adenomas was low. There was no correlation between adenomas in the resection margins and the development of pouch adenomas.