Long-term functional results of colonic J pouch versus straight coloanal anastomosis

• Published in: British journal of surgery Vol. 86; no. 9; pp. 1176 - 1179
• Main Authors: Barrier, A., Martel, P., Gallot, D., Dugue, L., Sezeur, A., Malafosse, M.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01.09.1999; Wiley
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Anal Canal - surgery; Anastomosis, Surgical - methods; Antidiarrheals - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Cathartics - therapeutic use; Colon - surgery; Colonic Diseases - physiopathology; Colonic Diseases - surgery; Defecation - physiology; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Patient Satisfaction; Proctocolectomy, Restorative; Retrospective Studies; Stomach, duodenum, intestine, rectum, anus; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the digestive system; Human; Prognosis; J shape; Surgical anastomosis; Long term; Retrospective; Result; Survey; Treatment; Anus; Surgery; Colon; Technique; Comparative study
• ISSN: 0007-1323; 1365-2168
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2168.1999.01224.x

Background: There are very few studies evaluating the long‐term functional outcome of coloanal anastomoses. This retrospective study aimed to compare long‐term functional results of straight and colonic J pouch anastomoses. Methods: Thirty‐seven patients, 25 with a straight anastomosis and 12 with a J pouch anastomosis, responded to a standardized telephone questionnaire. The mean time since surgery was 10 (range 4–18) years. Results: The mean daily stool frequency was similar in both groups of patients (1·1 in patients with a reservoir, 1·5 in patients with a straight anastomosis). In both groups, two‐thirds of patients had perfect continence or limited gas incontinence. Faecal incontinence was reported by two patients with a straight anastomosis and one patient with a pouch. Nocturnal stools and fragmentation were slightly more frequent in patients with a straight anastomosis. Half of the patients regularly used medication. Thirty‐five of the 37 patients reported satisfaction with functional results. Conclusion: Long‐term functional results of coloanal anastomoses are satisfactory and, unlike early results, similar for both types of anastomosis. The functional benefit of a reservoir, seen in the first year after operation, is less evident with increasing time. © 1999 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd