Cecoproctostomy.

A new technique of cecoproctostomy using the side-to-end technique has been documented in 21 patients over 7 years, representing 6 percent of one surgeon's series of colectomies. This procedure was performed in patients requiring removal of all of the colon except the cecum and the rectum. It has advantages over ileoproctostomy because it spares the terminal ileum, ileocecal junction, and cecum. Cecoproctostomy has not resulted in morbidity or mortality and has resulted in good postoperative bowel function with a mean of 2.3 bowel movements per day. With the high incidence of disabling stool frequency after ileoproctostomy, we recommend cecoproctostomy as a beneficial alternative in a select group of patients with extensive or multiple colonic diseases that spare the cecum and rectum.