title: [The transverse coloplasty pouch after low anterior resection: early postoperative results].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A colon J pouch (CJP) still represents the standard rectal reservoir after low anterior resection. Though the CJP shows favourable early functional results, pouch evacuation problems tend to occur in the long term. The transverse coloplasty pouch (TCP), developed by our group allows comparable early functional results while avoiding evacuation problems. We report our experience with the TCP at the University Hospital of Heidelberg, Germany, and examine the risk of anastomotic leaks with this technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 1 October 2001 and 31 May 2003, 201 patients with rectal tumours underwent resection. Eighty-two patients with formation of TCP were enrolled in the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the creation of the TCP, no technical problems occurred, and the overall morbidity was 28%, including anastomotic leaks in seven patients (8.5%) and bleeding in two. The reoperation rate was 8.5%. An association between postoperative morbidity and preoperative radiation therapy could not be established. The hospital mortality rate was 3.6%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of TCP is a safe procedure which has gained worldwide acceptance in a short time, representing a technically straightforward procedure. Independently of patient size, habitus, and bulkiness of the colon, a TCP can always be performed after low rectal resection.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Allgemein-, Viszeral- und Unfallchirurgie, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ulrich
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Z'graggen
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schmied
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Weitz
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Büchler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003248:Constipation / Q000209:etiology*; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D016737:Proctocolectomy, Restorative / Q000379:methods*; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D012007:Rectum / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000209:etiology*