Late clinical outcome in a randomized prospective comparison of colonic J pouch and straight coloanal anastomosis

BACKGROUND: Functional outcome after rectal excision with coloanal anastomosis is improved by construction of a colonic J pouch. Present prospective randomized studies lack follow-up beyond 1 year. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical outcome at both short- and long-term follow-up. METHODS: Forty patients with low rectal cancer were randomized prospectively to either J colonic pouch-anal anastomosis or a straight coloanal anastomosis. Clinical assessments were performed 3, 12 and 24 months after colostomy closure using a standard questionnaire and physical examination. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the complication rate between the two groups. There was a significant (P < 0.01) improvement in frequency of defaecation at 3, 12 and 24 months for patients with a reservoir. Similarly, fragmentation (clustering of stools) was significantly less at 3 and 12 months (P < 0.01) in the reservoir group, and incontinence occurred less frequently in the first year (P = 0.09). By 24 months no patient in either group suffered from major or minor incontinence. CONCLUSION: The functional improvement gained from a colonic reservoir in coloanal anastomosis continues to benefit the patient for at least 2 years.