[Continent ileostomy - improvement of life quality]

Fifteen patients who had undergone proctocolectomy and conversion of conventional ileostomy into continent ileostomy as devised by KOCK were investigated an average of 4 1/2 years after continent ileostomy. The aspects investigated were skin problems, frequency of ileal pouch emptying, continence, and quality of life. It is concluded that successful conversion to continent ileostomy has eliminated most of the drawbacks of conventional ileostomy. The technically complex method of continent ileostomy should be employed only by surgeons experienced in this type of surgery and at centers where more experience with the method can be accumulated.