Complications of the Kock pouch

Over the past 41/2 years, 395 consecutive Kock pouch procedures have been performed by the urology faculty at the University of Southern California School of Medicine as an alternative to conventional cutaneous urinary diversion. This article reviews the early and late complications experienced in the 386 patients surviving the operation and describes in detail modifications in surgical technique designed to reduce the complication rate and the subsequent need for re-operation. We remain convinced that construction from ileum of a low-pressure, high-capacity internal reservoir with continent and nonrefluxing valves as originally described by Kock remains the ultimate technique for patients requiring permanent urinary diversion or for those requiring conversion from a pre-existing form of diversion.     

Complications of the Mainz pouch II (sigma rectum pouch)

OBJECTIVE: The complications of the sigma rectum pouch were analyzed. METHODS: A total of 60 patients who underwent a construction of the Mainz pouch II was analyzed retrospectively. Data on early complications was available for all patients, while long-term follow-up data was available for 50 patients. RESULTS: Perioperative mortality was nil. Early complications were encountered in 2 (3.3%) patients. Oral alkalizing supplementation therapy was required in 30 (60%) of the patients; 3 (6%) patients needed hospitalization for severe acidosis and hypokalemia. Hydronephrosis developed in 5 (5%) of 98 renoureteral units anastomosed. Acute pyelonephritis was observed in 3 (8%) patients. All of the patients were continent except for 1 female patient who had had previous radiotherapy to the pelvis. The mean voiding frequency during the day and night was 5.1+/-1.1 and 1.9+/-0.7, respectively. The psychological state and general health of 2 patients became progressively worse until they died of probable malnutrition and metabolic abnormalities. Mechanical bowel obstruction developed in 1 patient 2 years after surgery. CONCLUSION: The complication rate of the Mainz pouch II appears to be acceptable with a median follow-up of 31 months. Patient selection and cooperation are of paramount importance for a successful outcome.     

The Mainz pouch. Ileocecal reservoir, Mainz pouch

The surgical technique for creation of the Mainz-pouch uses 12cm of cecum and ascending colon and 2 ileal loops of the same length for construction of an urinary reservoir, which has proven to be applicable for bladder augmentation, bladder substitution as well as for continent urinary diversion. For the creation of a continent nipple in urinary diversion 6cm of ileum in addition are necessary. As a modification we use the non-infected submucosal imbedded appendix as continence mechanism. Since 1986 a total of 247 patients underwent a Mainz-pouch procedure: 54 for bladder augmentation, 27 for bladder substitution and 166 for continent diversion. The appendix as continence mechanism was used in 30. Postoperative mortality rested under 1%, early complications have been observed in 4.4% and late complications in 13.7% (mean follow-up of 35 months). In the bladder augmentation group 52 patients are completely dry, 2 patients have urge and frequency and 5 patients are on intermittent self catheterisation to avoid residual urine. In the bladder substitution group all patients are continent at daytime. At nighttime 3 patients have leakage if they don't empty their bladder all 4 hours. In the urinary diversion group all but 3 are completely dry and are on intermittent catheterization. The main problem of our initial series was prolapse of the continent nipple which has been solved by staple fixation of the nipple to the bowel wall and to the ileocecal valve or by using the submucosal imbedded appendix.     

The ileo-anal pouch procedure: Complications, quality of life, and long-term results

The ileo-anal pouch procedure: Complications, quality of life, and long-term results. Restorative proctocolectomy with construction of an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) has evolved as the surgical therapy of choice for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). 662 patients (493 UC, 169 FAP) consecutively received IPAA. Marked differences were observed between UC and FAP patients regarding the rates of overall complications (33.1 % vs. 12.5 %), pouchitis (29 % vs. 2 %), and pouch extirpation (3.2 % vs. 0.6 %). Pouchitis occurred as primary (79 %) and secundary (21 %) form, with acute (67.2 %) or chronic (32.8 %) course. Each form and course required specific therapy. Chronic pouchitis implies the risk of malignant transformation of the pouch mucosa. Quality of life improves significantly after IPAA in patients with UC and is equal to that in normal individuals, in UC and FAP, if postoperative complications are either prevented or under control.     

Conversion of malfunctioning J pouch to Kock's pouch. Case report

A patient with ulcerative colitis previously treated with restorative proctocolectomy and ileal J-pouch anal anastomosis had recurrent pelvic abscess and poor functional results for 3 years postoperatively. To improve the quality of life, the J pouch was converted to a Kock's pouch. The successful result implies that Kock's continent ileostomy is a good replacement for failed pelvic pouch.     

Ileoanal pouch function is related to postprandial pouch tone.

BACKGROUND: Functional impairments are frequently observed in patients with an ileoanal pouch. Meal ingestion increases pouch tone and motility. Little is known, however, about the influence of meal-stimulated pouch characteristics on pouch function. The aim was to characterize basal and postprandial pouch motor and sensory characteristics in relation to clinical pouch function in patients with an ileoanal pouch. METHODS: Nineteen patients with an ileoanal pouch, without faecal incontinence but with either a high stool frequency (n = 8) or an adequate stool frequency (n = 11), underwent pressure distension of the pouch, by which pouch compliance and sensitivity characteristics were assessed using an electronic barostat. A set pressure procedure was performed to assess the influence of a meal on pouch tone and motility. RESULTS: Mean(s.d.) compliance was 10(6) and 11(4) ml/mmHg in the groups with poor and adequate pouch function respectively (P not significant). Mean(s.d.) visual analogue scale scores (0-10 cm) for urge at the highest pressure of 28 mmHg were 2.3(1.0) versus 2.3(2.4) cm respectively (P not significant); those for pain were 0.8(1.0) versus 0.5(0.7) (P not significant). Postprandially mean(s.d.) pouch volume decreased by 70(24) per cent in the group with poor pouch function and 29(25) per cent in the group with adequate pouch function (P < 0.01). The frequency and amplitude of phasic pouch contractions increased significantly postprandially, but no differences in motility characteristics were observed between the two groups. CONCLUSION: In patients with uniform pouch design and follow-up after pouch construction, pouch compliance and sensitivity were no different between patients with normal and high stool frequency; however, postprandial pouch tone was increased significantly in patients with a high stool frequency.     

Continuing evolution of the pelvic pouch procedure.

The results of the pelvic pouch procedure were reviewed to assess the surgical complication rate and outcome of patients who had had the procedure performed with a stapled ileo-anal anastomosis with and without a defunctioning ileostomy. Between December 1982 and March 1992, 483 patients underwent a pelvic pouch (PP) procedure. Patients were divided into three groups: group I consisted of 325 patients (178 men and boys and 147 women and girls) who underwent a PP procedure with a handsewn ileoanal anastomosis (IAA) with a defunctioning loop ileostomy. In group II, there were 87 patients (47 men and boys and 40 women and girls) who had a stapled IAA with a defunctioning ileostomy. Group III patients consisted of 71 patients (43 men and boys and 28 women and girls) who had a stapled IAA with no covering ileostomy. Assessment was made of the IAA leak rate, the surgical complications, the reoperation rate, and functional outcome. Early surgical complications included 40 (12%) IAA leaks in group I patients compared with only six (7%) leaks in group II patients who had a stapled IAA (p < 0.05). In group III patients, who had a stapled IAA but no covering ileostomy, there were 13 leaks (18%). Eleven of these 13 leaks healed spontaneously with tube drainage; one patient remains with a rectal tube in place 6 weeks after operation, and only one patient has required a reoperation (defunctioning ileostomy). Functionally, all patients with a healed IAA after a leak have had an excellent result comparable to those without a leak. Patients who were male, older than age 40, on steroids, and had had a true one-stage PP procedure, had a greater risk of developing an IAA leak. In two patients, there was intraoperative difficulty, and one of these patients had an IAA leak after operation. Disease activity at the resection margin and patient weight did not affect the leak rate. Our results suggest that the IAA leak rate is significantly reduced in patients with a stapled IAA with an ileostomy compared with those with a handsewn IAA. Omission of the defunctioning ileostomy is associated with a higher IAA leak rate, but spontaneous healing occurs in almost all patients without impairment of functional results. In patients in whom the ileostomy is omitted, the IAA leak rate is greatest in male patients who have undergone a true one-stage PP procedure, are on steroids, and are older than age 40.     

Long-term follow-up of the Indiana pouch: efficacy of the pouch construction using the absorbable gastrointestinal staples.

The Indiana pouch procedure was used on 34 bladder cancer patients. The Heinecke-Mikulicz reconfiguration was carried out, involving the conventional hand-sewn and the absorbable GIA stapled methods with the continence mechanism of a staple-tapered efferent limb. The tunnelled tenial anti-refluxing implantation of ureters was performed. The stapled pouch construction saved approximately 1 h of operating time and reduced by 18% the overall loss of blood. There were 3 complications (wound infection/dehiscence in two, leakage from the enteric anastomosis in one, and acute renal failure in one) within 30 days postoperatively. As a late complication, ureter implantation stricture was experienced in two and pouch stone formation in five. No significant difference in the incidence of stone formation was evident between the hand-sewn and the stapled pouches, nor was any difference of pouch volume and catheterization interval. All patients had acceptable continence. These data demonstrated that the Indiana pouch is a reliable procedure with an acceptable complication rate. The pouch construction using the stapled method, which simplified the procedure, is more convenient than the one using the hand-sewn technique.     

Laser treatment of pharyngeal pouch.

The symptoms of pharyngeal pouch become more troublesome, eventually requiring surgical treatment. Excision of the pouch and cricopharyngeal myotomy through a neck incision was the operation of choice until Dohlman described endoscopic diathermy operative treatment 30 years ago. The diathermy technique has been largely superseded by endoscopic microsurgical division of the cricopharyngeus muscle in the party wall using carbon dioxide laser. This operation is now established as a precise, accurate and safe procedure providing reliable relief of symptoms with minimal risk to the patient. Fifteen patients treated by the microsurgical laser procedure in the past 5 years are reported.     

Further experience with the urethral Kock pouch.

In 185 men a urethral Kock pouch was constructed as a bladder substitute after radical cystectomy for cancer. A total of 117 patients was followed for a minimum of 1 year and is fully evaluable. Of the patients 108 (92%) are completely continent during the day, while 85 (73%) are dry at night. Also, 8 patients had an excellent response to imipramine hydrochloride. Stability or improvement in the configuration of the upper tract was noted in 210 renal units (90%). A total of 24 renal units showed evidence of deterioration due to reflux (16) and an anastomotic stricture (8). Stability of the antireflux nipple valve was ensured by creation of a window in the mesentery of the corresponding bowel segment and by anchoring the valve to the wall of the pouch by an additional row of staples. On the basis of this favorable outcome the procedure is recommended for male patients for whom cystectomy is indicated and in whom the urethra can be preserved.     

Complications of foot surgery. Complications of anesthesia

Anesthesia is a necessity when performing surgery. As with any component of the surgical task, there are complications associated with any of the various anesthetic agents and techniques. The most effective way to diminish a complication is through prevention. A detailed medical history and examination of the patient will alert the physician to possible hazards along the surgical path. Dialogue with the anesthesiologist to promote teamwork is always in the patient's best interest and can lower the complication rate.     

Motor disorder in pharyngoesophageal pouch.

Patients with a pharyngoesophageal pouch studied by esophageal manometry were shown to have premature relaxation of the upper esophageal sphincter. Postrelaxation contraction of the sphincter was therefore already in progress while pharyngeal contraction was taking place. This motor disturbance creates a physiological obstruction at the upper esophageal sphincter so that high pressures are built up in the pharynx. These conditions are conductive to herniation of the pharyngeal mucosa through any weak area in the muscle wall of the pharynx.     

Endoscopic stapling diverticulotomy of pharyngeal pouch.

Endoscopic diverticulotomy (Dohlman's procedure) is a well-established and effective alternative to external diverticulectomy in the treatment of pharyngeal pouch. The division of the common septum between the pouch and the oesophagus is usually performed either with electrocautery or with a laser. We describe a new technique of endoscopic diverticulotomy using a linear cutter stapling gun. This technique has the advantages of being quick and bloodless, avoiding the need for a nasogastric tube, permitting oral intake as early as the first postoperative day and allowing early discharge from hospital. It also has the theoretical advantage over the electrocautery or the laser technique of reducing the risk of fistula formation, mediastinitis and thermal injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve.     

Complications of chemonucleolysis.

Complications in chemonucleolysis are inevitable. However, the incidence of these may be minimized with attention to detail. Proper patient selection, based on a knowledge of the natural history of lumbar disk herniation and elimination of patients with contraindications to diskolysis, will result in a higher success rate with lower incidence of complications in diskolysis. Once the proper patient has been selected, attention must be turned to technique with respect to the use of local anesthesia, appropriate patient positioning, good fluoroscopic control, and two-needle technique for appropriate needle positioning. Immunologic complications can be nearly eliminated with the use of a preoperative enzyme immunoassay test. Carefully considering all of these factors will allow chemonucleolysis to present a safe alternative to disk surgery.     

Complications of enterocystoplasty.

Bladder reconstruction, either by augmentation or substitution enterocystoplasty, is a safe alternative to supravesical urinary diversion providing careful attention to preoperative selection, surgical technique, and postoperative review is observed. However, under the most optimal conditions an untoward outcome may occur. We reviewed our series of 100 intestinocystoplasties to categorize the types of complications encountered, and to identify preoperative risk factors that could potentially develop into an unfavorable sequela. Twenty-seven patients required either early or late surgical intervention, while 30 were managed nonoperatively. In our review we identified two groups, those with myelodysplasia and those with a solitary functioning kidney, who are at a higher risk for an unfavorable outcome to develop.