Restorative proctocolectomy and ileal reservoir.

The operation consisting of abdominal colectomy, proximal proctectomy, distal mucosal proctectomy, and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis eliminates colorectal mucosal disease, restores transanal defecation, and avoids the need for a permanent abdominal stoma and the wearing of an external appliance. During the 4-year period from January 1981 through December 1984, 369 such operations were done at the Mayo Clinic for either ulcerative colitis (in 336 patients) or polyposis coli (in 33 patients). None of the patients died in the immediate postoperative period. Follow-up data for the initial 188 patients showed the following complications: anastomotic stricture in 12%, pelvic sepsis in 11%, obstruction of the small intestine in 9%, and reservoir ileitis in 7%. A permanent stoma had to be established in 5% of patients. All patients could defecate spontaneously, and 95% had satisfactory continence for stools and gas. This operation seems safe and effective and provides a quality of life superior to that seen after the conventional Brooke ileostomy.