Background: Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is the surgical standard in the therapy of ulcerative colitis. It was the aim of the present study to evaluate functional long-term results and correlate them with quality of life.
Patients and methods: 37 patients with a follow-up of more than 5 years were included. Functional results and quality of life were assessed by standardised questionnaires (modified Kelly-Hohlschneider-Score, EORTC QLQ-C30).
Results: 24 of 37 patients could be evaluated. Median follow-up was 8 (5-13) years. Postoperative stool- frequency was 5.5 +/- 1.7/d. When compared with the preoperative situation, patients suffered less from urgency. Stool-frequency and -consistency, soiling and sensibility remained unchanged. 83 % of patients had a subjective increase of life quality with the ileoanal pouch. The quality of life index was almost normal with 83 (28-100) %. Patients with postoperative complications had a significant decrease of life quality when compared to patients with uneventful course. There was no statistically significant correlation of life quality with age, gender or stool continence.
Conclusions: Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis leads to a long-term increase of stool frequency with partially impaired stool continence. Patients with uneventful course have a significantly better life quality.