Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis operation in children versus adults.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate early results of elective ileal pouch-anal operations in children under the age of fifteen as compared to adult patients operated during the same period by the same surgical team.


METHODS
Eighty-two patients with ulcerative colitis underwent restorative proctocolectomy during a six-year period, 1991-1996. Twelve of them (16%) were under the age of 15 years. Peroperative and short term postoperative morbidity were compared between the two groups.


RESULTS
Covering loop ileostomy was performed on one patient in the juvenile group and 5 (7%) in the adult group. There were no significant differences in postoperative complications between the two groups. Eight (11%) leakages occurred in the adult group as compared to none in the juveniles. The children had a higher incidence of unexplained postoperative fever (50% versus 21%). Seven adults (10%) but no children underwent re-operation for these early complications.


CONCLUSIONS
It would appear that a team of experienced gastroenterologic surgeons can operate children as well as adults for ulcerative colitis with comparable early results without additional morbidity.
Matikainen
M
M
Department of Surgery, Tampere University Hospital and Medical School, University of Tampere, Finland. martti.matikainen@tays.fi
Aitola
P
P
Hiltunen
K M
KM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000601:surgery*; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007081:Ileostomy; D007082:Ileum / Q000601:surgery*; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016737:Proctocolectomy, Restorative