Total proctocolectomy and ileal-anal pouch

Definition

Total proctocolectomy and ileal-anal pouch surgery is the removal of the large intestine and most of the rectum. The surgery is done in one or two stages.

Alternative Names

Restorative proctocolectomy; Ileal-anal resection; Ileal-anal pouch; J-pouch; S-pouch; Pelvic pouch; Ileal-anal pouch; Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis; IPAA; Ileal-anal reservoir surgery

Description

You will receive general anesthesia before your surgery. You will be asleep and unable to feel pain.

You may have the procedure in one or two stages:

Some surgeons perform this operation using a camera. This surgery is called laparoscopy. It is done with a few small surgical cuts. Sometimes a larger cut is made so the surgeon can assist by hand. The advantages of this surgery are a faster recovery, less pain, and only a few small cuts.

If you have an ileostomy, your surgeon will close it during the last stage of the surgery.

Why the Procedure Is Performed

This procedure may be done for:

Risks

Risks of anesthesia and surgery in general are:

Risks of having this surgery include:

Before the Procedure

Always tell your health care provider what medicines you are taking, even medicines, supplements, or herbs you bought without a prescription.

Before you have surgery, talk with your provider about the following things:

During the 2 weeks before your surgery:

The day before your surgery:

On the day of your surgery:

After the Procedure

You will be in the hospital for 3 to 7 days. By the second day, you will most likely be able to drink clear liquids. You will be able to add thicker fluids and then soft foods to your diet as your bowel begins to work again.

While you are in the hospital for the first stage of your surgery, you will learn how to care for your ileostomy.

Outlook (Prognosis)

You will probably have 4 to 8 bowel movements a day after this surgery. You will need to adjust your lifestyle for this.

Most people recover fully. They are able to do most activities they were doing before their surgery. This includes most sports, travel, gardening, hiking, and other outdoor activities, and most types of work.

References

Galandiuk S, Netz U, Morpurgo E, Tosato SM, Abu-Freha N, Ellis CT. Colon and rectum. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 52.

Raza A, Araghizadeh F. Ileostomies, colostomies, pouches, and anastomoses. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 117.



Review Date: 8/22/2022
Reviewed By: Debra G. Wechter, MD, FACS, General Surgery Practice Specializing in Breast Cancer, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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