Continent intestinal reservoir.

In this series, 170 patients have received a continent intestinal reservoir, with follow-up of one to eight years. In 126 a conventional ileostomy was converted to a continent intestinal reservoir, 38 at the time of coloproctectomy. Six had an unsatisfactory ileoanal or ileorectal anastomosis initially, and 26 (15%) required revisional surgery for problems involving the reservoir or valve. The incidence of valve slippage was 3%. Eighty-five percent achieved a normally functioning small bowel reservoir with one operation, and 19 more patients were added with one additional operation, for an ultimate good result of 96% with two operations at most. The average reservoir capacity is 400 ml, and most patients empty the pouch two or three times per day. Under favorable circumstances, the continent intestinal reservoir is preferable for most patients after coloproctectomy.