Ileoanal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis: results of an evolutionary surgical procedure.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Proctocolectomy with ileoanal anastomosis (IAA) has proved to be the most suitable surgical treatment for ulcerative colitis. The aim of this study was to compare the results of IAA according to the evolution of surgical procedures and particularly to compare the results of stapled versus hand-sewn anastomosis.

METHODOLOGY

From 1984 to 1996, 37 men and 31 women were operated on in our centre for ulcerative colitis. The anastomosis between the J pouch and the dentate line was handsewn in 35 patients (group 1) and stapled in 33 patients (group 2).

RESULTS

The mean operative time was significantly shorter in group 2 as compared with group 1 (265+/-59 vs. 323+/-53, p<0.01, respectively), whereas morbidity and functional results were comparable in both groups. In 10 patients with stapled IAA, a diverting ileostomy was not performed and the morbidity in this group did not increase.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that stapled IAA anastomosis is a safe procedure. The stapling technique of IAA simplifies total excision of the rectum and could mean that a diverting ileostomy is not necessary.