Functional role of the preserved rectal cuff in ileoanal anastomosis

This study included 16 patients without complications, eight patients with ulcerative colitis, and eight patients with familial adenomatous polyposis. All patients underwent colectomy, mucosal proctectomy, and ileoanal anastomosis in the jackknife position with complete removal of the rectoanal columnar mucosa above the dentate line (IAA) through the anus.

The patients were divided into two groups: eight patients with the rectal cuff about 7 cm from the dentate line, "the medium-cuff group," and eight patients who underwent resection of the rectal stump above the levator, leaving a cuff of 2 cm, "the minimum-cuff group."

In the medium-cuff group the percent recovery of maximum resting pressure and maximum squeeze pressure 12 months after IAA were not significantly decreased, the rectoanal inhibitory reflex recovered in 87.5% of patients, and all patients regained continence. In the minimum-cuff group, however, the percent recovery for both pressures remained significantly reduced, the reflex never recovered, and only 25% of the patients were continent after 12 months (p less than 0.05). There was no significant difference in capacity or distensibility of the ileal pouch between the groups.

These results indicate that the medium-cuff method was associated with a superior functional result compared with the minimum-cuff method in the early postoperative period and the cuff in the lower rectum connected with the visceral nerves should be preserved to achieve better bowel function in the patient undergoing IAA. The initial mucosectomy through the anus in the prone jackknife position is useful for this purpose.