Optimization of sphincter function after the ileoanal reservoir procedure. A prospective, randomized trial

Impairment of sphincter function in patients who undergo ileoanal reservoir is usually most severe immediately after ileostomy closure. Therefore, a prospective, randomized trial was undertaken to assess the potential value of preileostomy closure sphincter-strengthening exercises to improve early functional outcome.

Patients were randomized either to a control group (Group 1) or to undergo a five-week pelvic floor exercise program (Group 2). An incontinence score from 0 to 20 was used to clinically assess the functional results. Anorectal manometric assessment included: high-pressure zone length, mean resting pressure, highest resting pressure, mean squeezing pressure, and highest squeezing pressure. The paired t-test was used to compare the functional results preoperatively and at the time of ileostomy closure. This time corresponded to the conclusion of the exercise program or the equivalent time period for the control group.

Twenty-six patients who underwent double-stapled ileoanal reservoir between July 1991 and June 1992 were studied. They included 16 males and 10 females with a mean age of 38 (range, 17-69) years. When both evaluations were compared, the mean incontinence score decreased from 0.2 to 2.8 (delta = 2.6) in Group 1 and from 0.2 to 2.0 (delta = 1.8) in Group 2 (P = 0.07). None of the changes between the preoperative and postoperative clinical and physiologic evaluations were statistically significant (P > 0.05).

Sphincter-strengthening exercises before ileostomy closure did not minimize the transient impairment of functional results.