Background: The aim of this systematic review was to assess the prevalence and site of dysplasia after restorative proctocolectomy (RPC) for ulcerative colitis (UC), and to identify risk factors that could be used in a surveillance programme.
Methods: Medical databases were searched for potentially relevant publications between 1978 and 2006. Studies that dealt with RPC for UC and postoperative surveillance were included. Two researchers independently performed study selection, quality assessment, data extraction and analysis.
Results: Twenty-three observational studies and case series were included, with a total of 2040 patients. The pooled prevalence of confirmed dysplasia in the pouch, anal transitional zone or rectal cuff was 1.13 (range 0-18.75) per cent. The prevalence of high-grade dysplasia, low-grade dysplasia and indefinite for dysplasia was 0.15 (range 0-4.49), 0.98 (range 0-15.62) and 1.23 (range 0-25.28 per cent) respectively. Dysplasia was equally frequent in the pouch and rectal cuff or anal transitional zone. Dysplasia and cancer identified before or at operation seemed to be significant predictors of the development of dysplasia. Pouchitis and duration of follow-up were not of predictive value.
Conclusion: Although based on low-level evidence from uncontrolled studies, the prevalence of dysplasia observed after RPC was remarkable. A surveillance programme that takes into account the risk factors found is therefore advocated.