Endoscopy in the management of patients after ileal pouch surgery for ulcerative colitis.

Pouchitis is the most common complication following ileal pouch-anal anastomosis in patients with ulcerative colitis. However, there are several other inflammatory and noninflammatory conditions that can mimic pouchitis, and endoscopy with biopsies is essential for distinguishing these various conditions. This paper will review the differential diagnosis of pouchitis and the role of endoscopy in the diagnosis and management of disorders of the ileal pouch.