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. 1996 Jul;224(1):58–65. doi: 10.1097/00000658-199607000-00009

Randomized comparison of straight and colonic J pouch anastomosis after low anterior resection.

O Hallböök 1, L Påhlman 1, M Krog 1, S D Wexner 1, R Sjödahl 1
PMCID: PMC1235247  PMID: 8678619

Abstract

OBJECTIVE. The authors compared clinical bowel function and complications of a low anterior resection with either a straight or colonic J pouch anastomosis. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA. Urgency and frequent bowel movements after rectal resection with a low anastomosis have been related to the loss of rectal reservoir function. Reconstruction with a colonic J pouch possibly can obviate some of this dysfunction. Earlier reports have been favorable, but they must be verified in randomized trials. METHOD. One hundred patients with rectal cancer in whom a sphincter-saving procedure was appropriate were randomized to reconstruction with either a straight or a colonic J pouch anastomosis. RESULTS. The incidence of symptomatic anastomotic leakage was lower in the pouch group (2% vs. 15%, p = 0.03). Eighty-nine patients could be evaluated after 1 year. The pouch patients had significantly fewer bowel movements per 24 hours, and less nocturnal evacuations, urgency, and incontinence. Overall well-being owing to the bowel function was rated significantly higher by the pouch patients. CONCLUSION. Reconstruction with a colonic J pouch was associated with a lower incidence of anastomotic leakage and better clinical bowel function when compared with the traditional straight anastomosis. Functional superiority was especially evident during the first 2 months.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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