Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis without rectal muscular cuff

Twenty patients underwent proctocolectomy followed by an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. The rectum was mobilized in the intersphincteric plane and transected at the level of the dentate line. As a consequence, a rectal cuff, which is considered by some to be important for the maintenance of anal continence, was not left behind. All patients were continent. Manometric data demonstrated no difference compared to a group of 21 patients with a conventional mucosectomy. Nearly half of the patients in both groups had a positive recto-anal inhibitory reflex. As a rectal cuff is not essential for maintaining continence, the receptors of the rectoanal inhibitory reflex are probably located outside the rectal wall.