Proctocolectomy and ileoanal anastomosis with an S pouch: functional results

Patients with total colonic ulcerative colitis or familial polyposis traditionally require a proctocolectomy. In an effort to preserve the normal pathway for defecation and avoid the nuisance of an abdominal stoma, a continence-preserving procedure involving a pelvic reservoir has been performed at the University of Minnesota Hospitals on 120 patients. The majority were operated on for colonic ulcerative colitis. There were no deaths. The mean hospital stay after restorative proctocolectomy was 10 days and after ileostomy takedown the mean stay was 7 days. Functional results were assessed in 52 patients. Daytime bowel movements averaged 6.4 and night-time movements 1.4. Major daytime incontinence occurred in 6% of the patients, 21% had moderate soiling at night and 70% wore a perineal pad in the evening. Ninety-two percent of the patients expressed satisfaction with the procedure. The most serious complication was pelvic sepsis. It occurred in nine patients, six of whom required subsequent surgery. The Parks S pouch provides a means of maintaining anal continence. This series and others have shown that young, healthy, well-motivated persons will benefit most from a restorative proctocolectomy.