Abstract
We compared 3 different initial operative procedures performed in patients with ulcerative colitis who underwent an ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) procedure with a Harmonic Scalpel (HS). We selected 775 patients who underwent a restorative proctocolectomy with a mucosectomy using an HS and hand-sewn IPAA. Ninety-six patients underwent a total colectomy (3-stage procedure) as the initial operation, whereas 258 underwent IPAA without ileostomy (1-stage procedure) and 421 underwent IPAA with ileostomy (2-stage procedure). There were no significant differences regarding early pouch functional rate among the 3 groups. After 5 years with a functioning ileal pouch, the survival rates for the total colectomy, IPAA with ileostomy, and IPAA without ileostomy groups were 100%, 99.3%, and 99.0%, respectively. There was low operative mortality, and acceptable rates of early and late complications in patients with ulcerative colitis who underwent a restorative proctocolectomy and IPAA using an HS.