Frequency of bowel movements after colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis.

Stool frequency was studied in 43 patients several years after they had undergone ileorectal anastomosis. Seven (16%) of the patients had high and potentially disabling frequency. The level of anastomosis above the anus, patient age, and length of ileum resected were not shown to be important factors. Resection in patients with neoplastic disease was generally better tolerated than in those with diverticulosis. From this study, it seems that potentially disabling stool frequency will be an inevitable consequence in about one sixth of the patients having the operation.