J-Pouch Longevity

I guess since the procedure is relatively "new" there isn't a lot of studies showing longevity but I have yet to hear of a long time j poucher saying their j pouch has "expired".

It's good to hear your patient's daughter is doing well after 30 years with hers. My sister has had her j pouch for a long time as well...I believe she's going on 22 years with it, and she has no issues either....still going strong.

This is very inspiring to hear!

I am a UC patient considering jpouch surgery.

What do you think about stapled jpouches vs hand sewn?

I have a friend who's j-pouch is about 25 yrs old and doing well.

My J pouch is about 23 years old. The only issue I had was pouchitis. Just finished treatment for it and off antibiotics about 3 days so not sure yet if I will be on my merry way or if it might be chronic. Oh, I also have a stricture that likely contributes to the pouchitis, but I am able to eliminate fairly well. I've had incontinence that I thought was due to a tear during vaginal birth, but it looks like it was more likely the pouchitis.

If I can stay at my current level of function without chronic pouchitis, I would say I am doing quite well and the pouch has been great.

My j-pouch is also 23 years old and I've never had problems with it. No pouchitis. Sleep through the night. I have had several partial blockages but that's because my brain insisted that I eat a bunch of raw carrots (or something equitable) without chewing very well. So the pouch can't be blamed, it's the user's fault.

kathy

To fightuc02

I think I had a combination of stapling and sewing--the j pouch itself was stapled, the mucosectomy-- pulling the terminal part of the ileal pouch to the anus-- was sewn. It may be important to have the ileoanal anastomosis be sewn to reduce the amount of residual rectal/anal tissue left. Some of this tissue is colonic type epithelium with risk of colorectal cancer.

Find a high volume board certified colorectal surgeon who specializes in ulcerative colitis surgeries. Ask him/her questions about the pros and cons of each kind of anastomosis. Go to information available on the Mayo or Cleveland Clinic websites to educate yourself about this kind of surgery.

I asked around and decided to stay local in the Richmond VA area since there were a number of surgeons in the area specializing in this kind of surgery. I was hoping to minimize stress to myself and family by staying local. There are many skilled colorectal surgeons doing colectomy/j-pouch surgeries through out the US. Look for volume, board certification in colorectal surgery, and a good support staff.

If you are a very complex patient, then you may want to consider going to the Mayo or Cleveland Clinic.

Good luck.

My pouch is 36 years old. I was the first done at the University of Iowa hospitals back in 1975...it was experimental at the time. There is so much available today, information wise, that we didn't have back then. They only waited 30 days before doing my takedown surgery. Finding a good colo/rectal surgeon is the true key. Its funny but I still keep in touch with my surgeons who did mine They were true angels.

Val,
I think you get the prize on this site for longest running j pouch! Congrats! I love knowing they have a long shelf life!

My pouch is 32 years old. Have had all kinds of problems in the past. But I am  teacher and coach
For 38 years. Lots of scar tissue problems.

yay for the first time I almost feel like a rookie. my jpouch is 29 years old soon to be 30. prior to this discussion I had only met one person who had a jpouch one year older than mine. my dx has morphed to crohns based on clinical observation of chronic pouchitis, and development of two strictures, but truth be told we haven't had biopsy confirmation of crohns tissue. so we treat with a biologic paired with an immunomodulator and that by and large seems to work.

 

hfc, kudos to you on 4 marathons annually! that's huge. I just completed my 2nd full, have run ~ 15 halfs. I, reluctantly after this last one will have to admit that I think my doctor is right. it seems I develop ischemic pouchitis during my marathon training. given you run 4, I would presume you aren't experiencing same?