OBJECTIVES: To determine the long-term outcomes from the Malone antegrade continence enema (ACE) procedure in adult neurogenic patients. METHODS: A retrospective review of adult patients who underwent the ACE procedure for neurogenic bowel was done. Patients were studied if they had follow-up of greater than 4 years. We compared pre-ACE and post-ACE toileting times, bowel continence status, and complications, and elicited patient subjective satisfaction with their quality of life. RESULTS: Six patients were available for study. Mean age was 35 years with a mean follow-up of 4.5 years. Urinary diversion was done in 5 patients. Pre-ACE toileting time was 190 +/- 45 minutes versus post-ACE toileting time of 28 +/- 20 minutes (P <0.001). Four of six patients pre-ACE were incontinent of stool per rectum compared with 1 of these 4 patients post-ACE (P = 0.03). Five patients were continent of stool per ACE stoma. Four patients (67%) had complications. Three of five patients (60%) who underwent synchronous urinary diversion required postoperative re-exploration. Five patients (83%) were satisfied with their outcome and rated their quality of life higher after the ACE procedure compared with pre-ACE. CONCLUSIONS: The ACE procedure is effective in the long-term management of adult neurogenic bowel. The complication and re-exploration rates are high. Patients must be properly selected to determine appropriate motivation.
OBJECTIVES: To determine the long-term outcomes from the Malone antegrade continence enema (ACE) procedure in adult neurogenic patients. METHODS: A retrospective review of adult patients who underwent the ACE procedure for neurogenic bowel was done. Patients were studied if they had follow-up of greater than 4 years. We compared pre-ACE and post-ACE toileting times, bowel continence status, and complications, and elicited patient subjective satisfaction with their quality of life. RESULTS: Six patients were available for study. Mean age was 35 years with a mean follow-up of 4.5 years. Urinary diversion was done in 5 patients. Pre-ACE toileting time was 190 +/- 45 minutes versus post-ACE toileting time of 28 +/- 20 minutes (P <0.001). Four of six patients pre-ACE were incontinent of stool per rectum compared with 1 of these 4 patients post-ACE (P = 0.03). Five patients were continent of stool per ACE stoma. Four patients (67%) had complications. Three of five patients (60%) who underwent synchronous urinary diversion required postoperative re-exploration. Five patients (83%) were satisfied with their outcome and rated their quality of life higher after the ACE procedure compared with pre-ACE. CONCLUSIONS: The ACE procedure is effective in the long-term management of adult neurogenic bowel. The complication and re-exploration rates are high. Patients must be properly selected to determine appropriate motivation.