Restorative proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis

The results of 36 restorative proctocolectomies (with 2-loop reservoir) for ulcerative colitis (UC) performed in a three-year period were surveyed. These patients represented 69% of all those undergoing definitive surgery for UC at the same time at our department. There was no operative mortality. Both early (44.4%) and late complications (45.2%) were quite common, but they were mostly minor and only two were permanent failures (5.6%) requiring construction of conventional ileostomy. Anastomotic retraction and sinus formation (25%), as revealed by pouch x-ray, were the most frequent early complications, occurring in a lesser degree (19.4%) also after stoma closure. Pouchitis was also a common (20%) late complication, but usually resolved promptly with metronidazole treatment. The functional results in the 23 patients evaluated were satisfactory, with a mean defaecation frequency of 5.4 per 24 hour and a minor soiling frequency of 36%. None of the patients had to wear a pad. The over-all results are compatible to those from other centres and suggest that acceptable anal function follows restorative proctocolectomy in most suitable cases with UC. The role of adequate surgical experience and consideration of contraindications must, however, be emphasised, and the surgeon must be ready to handle many minor and even major complications.