Long-term outcome of total colectomy and ileostomy for Crohn disease

This study was undertaken to review long-term results of total colectomy and end ileostomy for Crohn disease.

Sixty-nine patients who underwent total colectomy and end ileostomy with an oversewn rectal stump for Crohn disease between 1962 and 1997 were reviewed. Postoperative complications, fate of the rectum or small-bowel recurrence, factors affecting complications and recurrence rates, and risk of rectal carcinoma are discussed.

Fourteen patients had an emergency colectomy. There were no operative or postoperative deaths. In all except five patients symptoms were rapidly relieved. The commonest postoperative complication was an intra-abdominal sepsis (12%). Only five patients (7%) underwent ileorectal anastomosis, of whom two required proctectomy later. Overall, 37 patients (54%) required proctectomy, with a median duration of 2 years. Sixteen patients (23%) developed small-bowel recurrence requiring surgery, with a median duration of 6.8 years. None of the following factors affected the proctectomy rate: sex, age at operation, duration of symptoms, smoking, perforating disease, coexisting small-bowel disease, preoperative proctitis, perianal disease, emergency operation, postoperative complications, or medical treatment. Youth was the only factor associated with a significantly higher reoperation rate for small-bowel recurrence. One patient developed an adenocarcinoma in a rectovaginal fistula, which was curatively resected at proctectomy.

Total colectomy and end ileostomy is a safe and effective procedure. However, a few patients underwent ileorectal anastomosis, and half of the patients required proctectomy. The small-bowel recurrence rate is low. Regular surveillance of the retained rectum is advised because of a small cancer risk.