Successful treatment for pouchitis with rebamipide refractory to a combination of metronidazole (MNZ) and ciprofloxacin (CFX).

A 35-year-old male who had undergone proctocolectomy and ileo-anal pouch surgery (IPAA) because of ulcerative colitis presented with worsening diarrhea and hematochezia. Pouchitis was diagnosed, and he was prescribed with metronidazole (MNZ) and a betamethasone enema. However, his condition did not remarkably improve despite these strategies. Endoscopy revealed ulceration and inflammation in the ileal pouch together with contact bleeding and mucous discharge. He underwent granulocytapheresis (G-CAP) and was prescribed anal 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) and oral prednisolone. Oral azathioprine (AZA) and a combination of MNZ and ciprofloxacin (CFX) did not result in any improvement. He was then treated with rebamipide enemas twice daily for 8 weeks without additional drug therapy. Two weeks thereafter, stool frequency started to decrease, fecal hemoglobin became negative, and his symptoms gradually improved. Endoscopic findings after the rebamipide therapy showed that the ulcers in the ileal pouch had mostly healed without obvious inflammation and bleeding. Rebamipide was thus maintained throughout the therapeutic period and for 13 months of follow-up. Rebamipide effectively treated severe pouchitis that was refractory to intensive conventional medication including antibiotics and corticosteroids.