Three years ago I had surgery to have an internal pouch made and connected.
Unfortunately, they completed the pouch but could not connect it because it was too short.
Does anyone know if anyone else has had the same experience?

Sounds like you had an issue with mesenteric reach. It is not common, but not much you can do about your anatomy. However, what you describe should be exceptionally rare. The usual standard of care is to free up the mesentery as much as they can, then pull the small bowel down into the pelvis prior to creation of the pouch. Sometimes a S or W pouch is created instead of a J, as this provides a better reach. If the reach is inadequate, the procedure is aborted and an end ileostomy is performed. Once in a while, the reach will just be questionable, with some minor stress on the ileoanal suture line. The hope is that during the period of the diverting ileostomy, the suture line will strengthen and be strong enough for function after take down. Apparently, this did not happen for you. I see that you are in the UK. Is a continent ileostomy an option for you?

Jan

I had "just enough" left to make my j-pouch. My surgeon told me over and over how lucky I was that he could do it at all. The consequence was a horrible temp ileo. that caused me a lot of problems.
Now, my pouch has slipped out of place and it looks as if another surgery is on the horizon.

Thanks for the response Jan. In truth there's not much I understand. I was told by the surgeon that it did not reach - end of story. I'm now wondering if they gave me the full facts.
In answer to your question,I do not know what a continent ileostomy is, I now have a permanent Ileostomy.

SeedTchr,
I'm sorry you have to undergo further surgery. Two times was enough for me. Please let us know how things pan out. I wish lots of luck.

A continent ileostomy is an ileal pouch attached to a stoma. It has a valve/collar to prevent seepage so you do not have to wear an appliance. You empty with a catheter several times a day. It is also called a Kock pouch or BCIR. Check out the K-pouch Korner forum.

Jan

Hi. My surgeon told me that I also had just enough to create the pouch. When he talked to me the day before, he said (as Jan stated) that it's quite rare.
Best of luck to you.

Jan....does this have anything to do with being a very tall person? If so, I have finally found a plus to being short!!!!