Quality of life after pouch excision.

Abstract

Pouch excision is a devastating experience for patients having restorative proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis. The quality of life among patients having pouch excision for ulcerative colitis was compared with that in those having proctocolectomy and ileostomy for ulcerative colitis using a validated standardized self-administered questionnaire. After pouch excision patients (n = 9) had more troublesome bowel symptoms (mainly from liquid stoma output) than those in the proctocolectomy group (n = 14) (mean(s.d.) score 5.64(0.92) versus 6.13(0.37), P = 0.03). However, the mean scores for the other parameters (systemic symptoms, functional, social and emotional impairment) did not differ significantly. Patients having pouch excision for ulcerative colitis have more liquid ileostomy loss but a comparable quality of life to those treated by standard proctocolectomy and ileostomy.