Ileostomy Diarrhoea

Abstract

Proctocolectomy renders patients more prone to significant fluid and electrolyte disturbance due not only to the loss of the normal absorptive capacity of the colon, but also due to unique complications of the postoperative state. Other than causes of diarrhoea unrelated to ileostomy, ileal resection, partial small bowel obstruction, and regional enteritis represent the most common causes of ileostomy diarrhoea following conventional ileostomy. In addition, patients with intra-abdominal reservoirs are prone to develop a bacterial overgrowth syndrome. With reservoirs placed in a pelvic location, as part of an ileoanal procedure, defecatory frequency (with or without high faecal outputs) can also result from ineffective pouch evacuation, decreased pouch capacity or poor sphincteric function.