Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal reservoir: indications and results

Proctocolectomy with ileal pouch is indicated in patients with diseases of the colon limited to the mucosa. The ileum must not be involved. In order to maintain stool continence, anal sphincter and mucosa must be preserved; however, mucosa of the rectum can be resected. There are three types of pouches possible (S, J, W) with increasing capacity. The distal loop of the ileum must not be longer than 1-2 cm, otherwise the defecation may be inhibited. Between 1977 and 1987 205 patients have been treated by proctocolectomy, most of them for ulcerative colitis of familial polyposis. In 6% the operation was unsuccessful (unknown Crohn's disease, pelvic sepsis or stool incontinence), 27% of the patients suffered from complications when the pouch was constructed or the ileostoma was closed (obstruction, sepsis). The overall mortality was 1%. 2 of 174 patients were incontinent. In all other patients the frequency of defecation was 3-5 per day. Stool continence depends on the shape of the pouch: 75% of the patients with a J-pouch and 93% of the patients with a W-pouch were continent. The overall results were better in patients with familial polyposis than with ulcerative colitis. The latter developed pouchitis in 20%.