“The type of surgery performed will depend on several factors, including the presence of [co-occurring conditions], patient age, and other[s],” says Dr. Lukin. “[It] should be determined using a shared decision-making approach.”
End Ileostomy
“The major issues will revolve around learning how to place and change the ileostomy appliance, manage ileostomy output, and care for skin around the pouch site,” he says. “In most cases, this surgery results in an excellent quality of life, and inflammatory complications are rare.”
J-Pouch Surgery
“For patients undergoing [J-]pouch surgery, this results in the ability to defecate [through the anus],” he says. One of the colon’s main functions is to absorb water from waste, which solidifies fecal matter, slowing its transit down. This means bowel movements post-colon removal will be more frequent and range from liquid to solid, Lukin says.
“The typical output for [J-]pouch patients ranges from 4 to 10 [bowel] movements per day,” he says.
In the months just after the procedure, there is an adjustment to return to normal bowel function, and the frequency and consistency often improves during this time, Lukin says.
“In terms of outcome, usually [J-]pouch function is excellent, but depending on [bowel movements’] frequency, consistency, and level of urgency, this may take some adjustment, or may require the use of antidiarrheal medications, fiber supplements, or other medications to decrease output,” he says.
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