An ileo-anal pouch, sometimes referred to as a j-pouch or a w-pouch, is an internal reservoir formed by connecting the end of the small intestine (the ileum) to the rectum.

Ileo-anal pouches are constructed for people who have had their large intestine surgically removed due to disease or injury. Diseases of the large intestine which may require surgical removal include:

• Crohn's disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Familial adenomatous polyposis

There is debate about whether patients suffering from Crohn's disease are suitable candidates for an ileo-anal pouch due to the risk of the disease occurring in the pouch, which could make matters even worse. An alternative to an ileo-anal pouch is an ileostomy.

In some cases where the pouch was formed as a result of colitis, inflammation can return to the pouch in a similar way to the original inflammation in the colon. This is known as pouchitis.

History

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The surgical procedure for forming an ileo-anal pouch was developed as an alternative to the ileostomy where, in the absence of a colon, intestinal waste is emptied into a bag attached to the abdomen.

See also

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• ileostomy

External links

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• Red Lion Group
• The J-Pouch Group

surgery | gastroenterology