Ileo
anal Pouch Surgery: Cause, Complication, and Care
The ileo
and pouch also known as the internal pouch is an internal reservoir in
the place of the rectum. It is shaped by folding the loops of the small
intestine and then stapled together to form a reservoir.The inner walls
are removed and the tank is then stitched into the perineum to replace
the rectum.
People who have their large intestine removed due to various diseases
or due to an injury have this process done. The different diseases that
cause the removal of the large intestine are:
Colon cancer- Colon cancer also known as the colorectal cancer
occurs in the colon or the rectum. These cancers form as colorectal polyps
inside the colon or rectum that later become cancerous and the rectum
has to be removed.
Ulcerative colitis- A persistent inflammation of the large intestine
is the ulcerative colitis. Although the cause is not known, stress and
certain foods can cause this ulcerative colitis.
Crohn’s disease- This is a form of inflammatory bowel disease
and can occur in any place between mouth and the anus. The intestinal
wall becomes thick due to the disease.
Toxic mega colon-This is a life threatening condition of the intestine,
which causes the large intestine to dilate. This happens due to the complications
of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, which are severe bowel
diseases.
Familial adenomatous polyposis- This is an inherited disorder distinguished
by numerous adenomatous polyps in the colon. When neglected it turns into
colon cancer.
The ileo anal pouch surgery is an extensive and complex gastrointestinal
type of surgery where a single operation is split into two or three parts.
The first part of surgery is the removal of colon and rectum.
A temporary ileostomy is given to the patient. After a period of 6-12
weeks, the ileostomy is reversed and a pouch begins to function on its
own. The stopped bowel movements begin. The temporary ileostomy gives
time for the pouch to heal and to keep away from infection.
Like all other surgeries, this ileo anal pouch surgery has its side effects
and complications. Many patients experience, bowel obstruction, pouchititis,
pelvic sepsis, ileal-anal separation and anal stricture.
However, most of the problems are treated with medications or surgical
therapy and there is no disturbance in the functioning of the pouch. The
chances of this pouch not functioning properly rates from about 5% to
15%. As too much of water is lost, the patient get dehydrated and need
to have salt intake.
Proper medical care, antibiotics and surgery by expert professionals makes
this surgery successful for 50% of the patients.
A proper diet intake after the surgery is important for the pouch to heal
faster. Foods in low fiber and high carbohydrate and protein are recommended
for the patients after the pouch gets set.
Some foods irritate the pouch so it is best avoided. Nuts, seeds, citric
acid, spicy foods cause anal irritation. Cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli,
milk, beer and carbonated drinks intensifies the gas level in the stomach.
Thus, ileoanal pouch surgery in the hands of an experienced surgeon and
proper diet after the surgery can keep the patient’s pouch in good
condition.
