A continent ileostomy and reservoir using the canine ileocolonic segment

The present study was an attempt to create a simple reservoir with a reliable continent ileostomy, so as to overcome the many drawbacks of the regular ileostomy. The ileocolonic segment was isolated and the ileum was intussuscepted into the colon to augment the ileocolonic sphincter. Pressure recordings disclosed a high pressure zone in the ileocolonic sphincter area reacting with a significant pressure increase to colonic distention. The proximal ileal end was anastomosed to the colonic part of the ileocolonic segment, and the ileal part of the ileocolonic segment was maturated as an ileostomy. The colonic reservoir was emptied by catheterization. Between catherizations, the ileostomies remained completely continent to small intestinal contents and gas. The reservoir and continent ileostomy are easily constructed, offer convenience and safety, voluntary and controlled emptying and conservation of part of the water and sodium excessively lost with conventional ileostomies. The procedure should be applied only to those patients in whom the right colon is unaffected or only slightly affected by the inflammatory process.