title: Long-term results of restorative proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis.
abstract: To study the long-term effects of restorative proctocolectomy with J-pouch for ulcerative colitis 100 consecutive patients were examined a mean of 5.6 years after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). Seventy-three percent of patients were on steroids and 22% had a preceding severe attack of colitis before IPAA. The overall early and late complication rates were 40% and 33%, respectively. Failure rate was 5% and all failures requiring pouch excision occurred within the first three postoperative years. Pouchitis (36%) was the commonest late complication. A preceding severe attack of colitis was an important prognostic sign of late anastomotic complications, troublesome incontinence and ultimate failure. The daily mean stool frequency varied from 4.5 to 6.9. After a short learning period continence-stabilised and minor incontinence was common (57%). The majority of patients (72%) were either very satisfied or had no problems in daily activities after IPAA. Ten patients were dissatisfied after surgery due to obvious medical reasons in most of them.
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mikkola
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Luukkonen
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Järvinen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D016737:Proctocolectomy, Restorative / Q000009:adverse effects