Abstract
Mucosal proctectomy with ileoanal pull-through in the treatment of ulcerative colitis and familial polyposis provides a technique for the preservation of the anal sphincters and relatively normal mechanisms of continence. Five patients had straight ileoanal anastomosis while 18 had the construction of a J-pouch. A two-team approach was used for simultaneous abdominal and perineal procedures to facilitate a shortened operating time. A loop ileostomy was routinely used in the postoperative period and was closed an average of 4.5 months (range: 2-16 months) later without complication. Prolonged preoperative hospitalization was rarely necessary and outpatient steroid enema preparation was routinely used. There were no deaths. Nineteen patients with functioning pull-through procedures have been followed an average of 23 months (range: 3-42 months). Two other patients have not had ileostomy closure because of complications. The two remaining patients had intractable diarrhea and have since undergone conversion to a permanent ileostomy. The 19 patients are continent, having three to nine bowel movements each day. Nearly all wear a perineal sanitary pad because of rare, unpredictable leakage of small amounts of fluid, especially at night. Complications were significant in this group of patients. Intestinal obstruction was a frequent problem, occurring in 52 per cent of the entire series and necessitating reoperation in 22 per cent. Anal stricture was a problem in another five patients. A variety of other minor problems occurred and most were treated nonoperatively. In spite of moderate diarrhea and occasional leakage of stool, all patients with functioning pull-through procedures prefer their current status to life with an ileostomy. This procedure should be offered as an alternative to all young patients with ulcerative colitis and familial polyposis.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 363-367 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | American Surgeon |
Volume | 53 |
Issue number | 7 |
State | Published - 1987 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery