Experience with the endorectal ileal pullthrough with lateral reservoir for ulcerative colitis and polyposis.

Since 1977, 184 patients with colitis or polyposis underwent colectomy with endorectal ileal pullthrough in two stages with a temporary ileostomy. Five had an S reservoir, three had a J reservoir, and 15 had no reservoir; 97 patients had a lateral reservoir constructed at the second operation and 64 had one constructed at the first operation. Ten patients with no reservoir and one with a J reservoir underwent conversion to a lateral reservoir because of stool frequency. Three patients with an S reservoir and six (3.5%) of 172 patients with a lateral reservoir underwent a permanent ileostomy. Over 65% of complications occurred in the first 50 patients. Late reservoir shortening was necessary in 34 patients. Of the last 110 patients, 107 are functioning well with a mean of six bowel movements per day. A short lateral reservoir (less than 15 cm) constructed at the first operation produces the fewest complications and best results.