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Clinical approach to patients with an ileal pouch

  • Special Section: Ileal Pouch
  • Published:
Abdominal Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch–anal anastomosis is the procedure of choice to maintain intestinal continuity when a total proctocolectomy is a required. It is a technically challenging operation that may be burdened by several nuanced complications both in the immediate postoperative period and in the long term. Most patients with a pouch and any kind of complication will undergo radiological studies, thus multidisciplinary collaboration between surgeons, gastroenterologists, and radiologists is paramount to their timely and accurate diagnosis. When treating pouch patients, radiologists should be familiar with regular pouch anatomy and its appearance in imaging studies, as well as with the most common complications that can occur in this population. In this review, we examine the clinical decision-making process at each step before and after pouch creation, as well as the most common complications associated with pouch surgery, their diagnosis, and their management.

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  1. Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA

    Marianna Maspero & Tracy L. Hull

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  1. Marianna Maspero
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  2. Tracy L. Hull
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Correspondence to Tracy L. Hull.

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Maspero, M., Hull, T.L. Clinical approach to patients with an ileal pouch. Abdom Radiol 48, 2918–2929 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-023-03888-z

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