Long-term results of restorative proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis.

To study the long-term effects of restorative proctocolectomy with J-pouch for ulcerative colitis 100 consecutive patients were examined a mean of 5.6 years after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). Seventy-three percent of patients were on steroids and 22% had a preceding severe attack of colitis before IPAA. The overall early and late complication rates were 40% and 33%, respectively. Failure rate was 5% and all failures requiring pouch excision occurred within the first three postoperative years. Pouchitis (36%) was the commonest late complication. A preceding severe attack of colitis was an important prognostic sign of late anastomotic complications, troublesome incontinence and ultimate failure. The daily mean stool frequency varied from 4.5 to 6.9. After a short learning period continence-stabilised and minor incontinence was common (57%). The majority of patients (72%) were either very satisfied or had no problems in daily activities after IPAA. Ten patients were dissatisfied after surgery due to obvious medical reasons in most of them.