A 19-year-old man with medically refractor ulcerative colitis undergoes a total colectomy with J-pouch creation. What are some of the late complications of ileal pouchanal reconstruction?
A. More than eight bowel movements per dayThe functional outcome of ileal pouch-anal reconstruction is not always perfect. Patients should be counseled to expect 8 to 10 bowel movements per day. Up to 50% have some degree of nocturnal incontinence. Pouchitis occurs in nearly 50% of patients who undergo the operation for chronic ulcerative colitis, and small bowel obstruction is common. Pouches fail in 5 to 10% of patients.