Diverting ileostomy for treatment of ileoanal pouch dysfunction: a technical note

The ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is a restorative procedure performed after proctocolectomy to improve quality of life in patients with colorectal conditions like ulcerative colitis, familial adenomatous polyposis, and selected cases of Crohn’s disease and Lynch syndrome. However, severe pouch dysfunction can occur, often necessitating further surgical intervention.

This technical note aims to describe the operative approach and perioperative management for diverting ileostomy as a treatment for dysfunctional ileoanal pouches.

Indications for the procedure include complications such as pelvic sepsis, pouchitis, fistulas, and Crohn’s disease of the pouch. Preoperative planning involves a multidisciplinary team, stoma site marking, and imaging to assess bowel integrity. The surgical technique utilizes laparoscopic access with careful adhesiolysis to minimize bowel injury, with intraoperative pouchoscopy to identify anatomical landmarks. An ileostomy is created by selecting a tension-free small bowel segment and approximating it to a pre-marked stoma site. Attention is given to preserving bowel length to allow for potential future restorative procedures. Postoperative care focuses on stoma management and addressing ongoing pouch dysfunction symptoms.

Diverting ileostomy offers symptom relief for patients with pouch dysfunction while avoiding more complex procedures like pouch excision. It is a valuable option in managing pouch failure.