Function of ileal J pouch-anal anastomosis in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis

Pouch function after proctocolectomy and ileal J pouch-anal anastomosis was assessed at 1 and 5 years in 41 patients with familial adenomatous polyposis. The mean(s.d.) stool frequency per 24 h decreased from 4.4(1.7) to 3.9(1.8) (P < 0.05), the mean(s.d.) nocturnal stool frequency fell from 0.6(1.0) to 0.3(0.6) (P < 0.05), and the number of patients having nocturnal bowel movements decreased from 16 to seven (P < 0.05). At 5 years, only one patient still followed a strict diet (versus ten at 1 year, P < 0.05) and only two needed antidiarrhoeal medication (versus ten at 1 year, P < 0.05). There were no episodes of pouchitis or late reservoir-related complications. The function of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis improves over time in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis.