NCT04722757

Brief Summary

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) and inflammatory bowel unclassified (IBDu) are inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) involving the colon and rectum. It is a chronic disease occurring in young people with a high burden on social and professional life. Although treated medically by immunomodulatory drugs, about 15 - 20% of UC patients will need an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). In primary cases, this procedure is usually performed laparoscopically (further called transabdominal IPAA or tabd-IPAA). More recently even less invasive surgical techniques have emerged, using a trans-anal access, facilitating dissection of the distal rectum. Although transanal access is associated with a good postoperative outcome profile, there is very limited data on functional outcome in patients with a trans-anal ileal pouch-anal anastomosis surgery (ta-IPAA). Objective: The objective of this study is to determine if functional outcome following ta-IPAA is the same as or better than postoperative function after tabd-IPAA with UC and IBDu. Study design: The FUNCTIon trial is a non-inferiority randomized, controlled trial that will involve 3 hospitals across North-America and Europe. Patient population: All patients with UC and IBDu eligible for pelvic pouch procedure will be randomized to either ta-IPAA or tabd-IPAA. Prior to the start of the study REB will be obtained at all centres and informed consent will be obtained from all patients. The inclusion criteria for the study are: patients between 18 and 60 years old with UC or IBD unclassified (IBDu) eligible for surgery. They will need to speak either English or the primary language of the center they are treated at. The exclusion criteria for the study are: contraindication for laparoscopy, familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), colorectal cancer, presence of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a hand-sewn ileo-anal anastomosis, immunomodulating therapy including steroids, pregnancy and lactating, urgent indication. Intervention: ta-IPAA or tabd-IPAA. Outcomes: Primary outcome is the functional outcome at one year after pelvic pouch surgery. This will be measured using the validated Colorectal Functional Outcome (COREFO) questionnaire. Secondary outcomes are functional outcome at 3 and 6 months, male and female sexual function, perioperative measures and clinical measures. Sample Size: A sample of 48 (24 per group) is required to detect a between-group non-inferiority margin of 7.05 in COREFO score with a 1-sided α of 0.05 and a power of 80%, allowing for 20% attrition. A participation rate of 50% is anticipated. Analysis: All continuous variable outcomes will be compared using analysis of covariance. Categorical variable outcomes will be analyzed using repeated measures logistic regression. Proportional outcomes will be analyzed with the chi-square or Fisher's exact test and continuous variables will be analyzed with student's t-test. Follow-up: Each participant will be followed up at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after the intervention to assess functional scores and clinical events. Perioperative events (including postoperative complications) will be assessed during the intervention hospitalization period.

Trial Health

43
At Risk

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Trial has exceeded expected completion date
Enrollment
48

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Jan 2021

Longer than P75 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
unknown

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

January 1, 2021

Completed
19 days until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

January 20, 2021

Completed
5 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

January 25, 2021

Completed
2.9 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

December 31, 2023

Completed
1.5 years until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

June 30, 2025

Completed
Last Updated

September 6, 2023

Status Verified

September 1, 2023

Enrollment Period

3 years

First QC Date

January 20, 2021

Last Update Submit

September 1, 2023

Conditions

Keywords

transanal surgery, pouch function

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Pouch function

    The primary outcome measure is the difference in functional outcome between the ta-IPAA and tabd-IPAA, measured by the Colorectal Functional Outcome (COREFO) questionnaire at 12 months after pouch surgery. Since this is a non-inferiority study, the hypothesis is that functional outcome 12 months after ta-IPAA is not worse than after tabd-IPAA. COREFO is a validated functional score used to assess colorectal function, divided in 5 domains (Incontinence, social impact, frequency, stool related aspects and need for medication) with a total of 27 questions and a result expressed between 0 and 100, increasing with a worse function.

    12 months after pouch construction or stoma closure

Secondary Outcomes (8)

  • Pouch function

    3 and 6 months after pouch construction or stoma closure

  • Anastomotic Leak Rate

    6 weeks after pouch construction

  • Postoperative Morbidity

    30 days after pouch construction

  • Readmission

    30-day after pouch construction

  • Patient's Quality of Life

    3,6 and 12 months after pouch construction

  • +3 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (2)

transanal IPAA

EXPERIMENTAL

In the experimental arm, patients will undergo transanal dissection of the distal part of the rectum. After proctectomy, an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) will be created. A Gelpoint Path will be used to create access through the anus. Postoperative care will occur following the hospital specific protocols.

Procedure: ta-IPAA

transabdominal IPAA

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

In the control group, proctectomy will occur through abdominal dissection (laparoscopy, single port laparoscopy, robotic or open). Postoperative care will occur following the hospital specific protocols.

Procedure: tabd-IPAA

Interventions

ta-IPAAPROCEDURE

A trans-anal port (gelpoint path, Applied Medical®) will be used for transanal acces and pneumopelvis will be created. The initial purse string is to be placed approximately 3cm above the dentate line, followed by a rectotomy. The perirectal dissection is then continued and should be pursued for at least 5cm. More proximal dissection can be done by transabdominal access. After completion of the proctectomy, a double purse string anastomosis is performed after creation of the J-pouch. A defunctioning loop ileostomy can be placed according to surgeon's preference.

transanal IPAA
tabd-IPAAPROCEDURE

Patients in the control group will undergo a rectal dissection by laparotomy, Pfannenstiel incision, (hand-assisted) laparoscopy, single port laparoscopy or robotic surgery, but performed from the abdominal side (tabd-IPAA). Dissection will be performed down to the pelvic floor and include the distal rectum. It is anticipated that most dissection will occur using the TME plane, however, close rectal dissection is also acceptable. Transection of the distal rectum approximately 2 cm above the dentate line will be performed using a linear stapler of the surgeon's choice. After placing the anvil in the J-pouch, a circular stapler will be introduced through the sphincter and a circular anastomosis will be performed. A defunctioning loop ileostomy can be placed according at the surgeon's discretion.

transabdominal IPAA

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 60 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

  • Patients with UC or IBD-U refractory to medical therapy or with dysplasia
  • Patients undergoing a 1-, 2-stage, 3-stage approach
  • Between 18 years old and 60 years old.
  • Speak English and/or primary language of recruiting center.
  • Provide informed consent

You may not qualify if:

  • Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP);
  • Patients with contraindications for laparoscopic surgery including previous laparotomy, toxic megacolon and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Gold III or higher;
  • Patients still taking steroids at the time of proctectomy and IPAA construction. A wash-out period of 8 weeks will be considered for all treatments before performing the pouch construction.
  • Patients with confirmed or suspected colorectal cancer;
  • Patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)
  • Patients needing a hand-sewn anastomosis;
  • Redo-pouch surgery
  • Pregnancy and lactation (tested by a urinary pregnancy test)
  • Patients undergoing an urgent or emergent proctocolectomy. Those patients are still eligible if they undergo a subtotal colectomy first and a completion proctectomy in a second stage.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Mount Sinai Hospital

Toronto, Ontario, M5G1X5, Canada

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Colitis, UlcerativeInflammatory Bowel Diseases

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

ColitisGastroenteritisGastrointestinal DiseasesDigestive System DiseasesColonic DiseasesIntestinal Diseases

Central Study Contacts

Anthony de Buck, MD, MSc

CONTACT

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Model Details: The FUNCTIon trial is designed as a multicenter, open-label, 2-arm parallel-group, non-inferiority randomized multicenter international trial. Randomization will be stratified by center, with permuted blocks and balanced allocation (1:1). Neither participants nor treating physicians will be blinded to treatment allocation.
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

January 20, 2021

First Posted

January 25, 2021

Study Start

January 1, 2021

Primary Completion

December 31, 2023

Study Completion

June 30, 2025

Last Updated

September 6, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-09

Locations