Post-operative faecal continence in patients with ulcerative colitis after ileo-anal anastomosis with preservation of the transitional zone : a report from a low-incidence region

The aim of this prospective study was to analyse post-operative faecal continence by carrying out a manometric and clinical follow-up on ten patients previously suffering from ulcerative colitis, who underwent total proctocolectomy and double-stapled ileo-anal anastomosis with preservation of the transitional zone. An annual histological analysis of the transitional zone was performed post-operatively. A 13% reduction in the length of the high-pressure zone of the anal canal (P = 0.04) was observed without any significant change in the resting anal pressure or the maximal squeeze pressures. Fifty percent of the patients showed histological signs of inflammation, without any clinical manifestations. The median number of bowel movements was 4 per day and 1 per night, and only 1 patient had occasional nocturnal soiling (less than once a week). On being questioned, 9 patients replied that they rated their continence as good or very good and 1 patient, as reasonable. These findings show that ileo-anal anastomosis, without mucosal resection preserves the normal resting anal pressure and anal function despite the reduction in the length of the high pressure zone it involves.