title: Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA): functional outcome after postoperative pelvic sepsis. A prospective study of 100 patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) has become a standard procedure for patients with ulcerative colitis requiring surgical intervention. The technique has greatly improved and, since 1990, all patients at Huddinge University Hospital have been operated on with the double stapled technique. Pelvic sepsis is one of the most serious complications postoperatively, and, according to previous reports, leads to impaired function of the pouch and, in some cases, extirpation of the pouch.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to find out if pelvic sepsis postoperatively after IPAA leads to impaired functional outcome at long-term follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred consecutive patients with ulcerative colitis operated on between 1990 and 1997 with double stapled J-shaped pouches were followed prospectively with a standardised questionnaire, clinical follow-up and endoscopy of the pouch. The function of the pouch has been evaluated at a minimum of 2 years after surgery to compare the functional outcome between patients with and without pelvic sepsis postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve patients developed pelvic sepsis postoperatively. No significant differences were found in pouch evacuation frequency, incontinence, deferral time, usage of protecting pads, skin irritation, evacuation problems, diet, usage of medication or social handicap. There was one failure in the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study, no evidence was found that suggested pelvic sepsis postoperatively impairs functional outcome after IPAA at long-term follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Medical Gastroenterology, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hallberg
authors.forename: Dagny
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ståhlberg
authors.forename: Jan-Erik
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Akerlund
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000601:surgery; D039021:Colonic Pouches / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D034161:Pelvic Infection / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012086:Reoperation; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012720:Severity of Illness Index