[Restorative proctocolectomy].
BACKGROUND
Restorative proctocolectomy and pelvic pouch surgery (construction of a pelvic pouch from intestine) is standard surgical treatment of patients with ulcerative colitis. It is a surgical approach that has been used for more than 30 years. The goal with this study was to report complications and functional results of restorative proctocolectomy performed by gastric surgeons in a local hospital.


METHODS
All patients who had undergone pelvic pouch surgery at Levanger hospital in the period 1989 - 2006 were evaluated. Data were collected through retrospective assessment of journals, and through questionnaires (that the patients were requested to complete) on functioning of the pelvic pouch.


RESULTS
The material consisted of 43 patients with a median follow-up time of 109 months (range 14 - 216). Four (9 %) patients with a non-functioning pelvic pouch were excluded from the analysis of self-defined function. 31 of 39 patients completed the questionnaire. Pouch-related complications were identified in 21(49 %) patients, and 9 (21 %) developed other complications. The mean number of daily defecation was 6 (range 3 - 11) and the mean number of nightly defection was 1 (range 0 - 4). Six (19 %) patients had some type of incontinence problem related to defecation. 29 (94 %) of the 31 patients who completed the questionnaire were content with functioning of their pouch.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the high frequency of both pouch-related and other complications, most patients were content with having a pelvic pouch.
Kirurgisk klinikk, St. Olavs hospital, Olav Kyrres gate 17, 7006 Trondheim, Norway. tore.stornes@stolav.no
Tore
T
Stornes
Knut
K
Skreden
Arne Holst
AH
Sollie
Tormod
T
Bjerkeseth
D000328:Adult; D039021:Colonic Pouches / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003672:Defecation / Q000502:physiology; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D016737:Proctocolectomy, Restorative / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome