Complications, Mortality and Functional Outcome following a Total Colectomy and Ileo-rectal Anastomosis

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study reviews the feasibility of a total colectomy with ileo-rectal anastomosis (TCIRA) and the functional outcome following the operation. METHODS: The cases of a total of 50 patients (31 men and 19 women) with a median age of 61 who underwent a TCIRA were reviewed retrospectively. The median follow-up time was 28 months (4~72). The clinical records were reviewed to analyze the postoperative complications and bowel function. The clinical outcomes were examined directly from patients' scoring. RESULTS: The indications of TCIRA were metachronous or synchronous colorectal cancer (34 percent), multiple polypoid lesions (22 percent), malignant colon obstruction (24 percent), ischemic colitis (2 percent), Crohn's disease (6 percent), and tuberculosis colitis (2 percent). The overall mortality and morbidity rates were 0 and 31 percent, respectively. The morbidity included postoperative bleeding, obstruction, intra-abdominal abscess formation, pneumonia, and wound complications. We used the CCIS index to evaluate postoperative functional bowel habit change. The CCIS index evaluation revealed perfect continence in 57 percent of the patients with short-term follow up (<6 months) and in 83 percent of the patients who had undergone a TCIRA more than 2 years ago. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients were satisfied with their bowel function on long-term follow up, and we think the TCIRA is a safe operation, and the clinical outcomes are relatively satisfactory.