The Evaluation of Postoperative Patients with Ulcerative Colitis

Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis has become the standard surgical treatment modality for patients with ulcerative colitis or familial adenomatous polyposis who require colectomy. Normally staged pouch surgery is performed. Endoscopy plays an important role in postoperative monitoring of disease status and delivery of therapy, if necessary. Therefore, ileal pouch surgery significantly alters bowel anatomy, with new organ structures being created. Endoscopy of the altered bowel includes the evaluation of end ileostomy, Hartmann pouch or diverted rectum, loop ileostomy, diverted pouch, and pouchoscopy. Each segment of the bowel has unique landmarks.