Terminal ileal transposition procedure in ileoanal anastomosis following proctocolectomy

We introduced a terminal ileal transposition procedure (TITP) in ileal pouch-anal anastomosis, in which a 50 to 70 cm isolated ileal segment 20 to 40 cm from the ileocecal valve was interposed between the terminal ileum and the anus. Twelve patients underwent this procedure in two or three-staged operations. Mean stool frequency per 24 hours was 4.4 +/- 1.7, and stool consistency was formed and soft in all patients at the mean of 13 months after TITP. We observed neither surgical technique-related complications nor metabolic disorders, except for iron deficiency anemia, during and after the operations. The serum level of vitamin B12 significantly increased after the operation in eight patients (P < 0.05). TITP has advantages such as preventing the terminal ileum from metabolic dysfunction due to pouchitis, avoiding sacrifice of the terminal ileum in the two-staged operation, and obviating the need for reconstruction of ileostomy in the three-staged operation. It may also promote intestinal absorption and reduce late metabolic complications.