Avoidance of leakage and strictures when creating an invisible conduit for antegrade colonic enemas.

BACKGROUND

Antegrade enemas have been proven to minimize problems with stool control for many incontinent patients; however, foreign bodies are unsightly, and native tissues have been shown to leak or stricture.

METHODS

Using a limited laparotomy incision, the appendix or a rolled cecal tube was sutured to the apex of the everted umbilical skin using a V-shaped incision. The skin then was inverted to hide the mucosa. The cecum was plicated around the base of the appendix or cecal tube and then tested by filling the cecum with saline to a pressure of 30 cm H2O.

RESULTS

Twenty patients (aged 4.8 to 41 years) with fecal incontinence caused by imperforate anus (17 cases) and other causes underwent this procedure. Two patients had minor strictures that resolved with home dilatations, and one cecal tube necrosed, and the patient has refused reoperation. One patient had minor prolapse and underwent revision. None of the conduits leak. Two patients achieved continence and stopped cannulating their stomas. With adjustment and customization of each enema regimen, stool accidents are infrequent. Follow-up is 22 +/- 14 (mean +/- SD) months.

CONCLUSION

A catheterizeable colocutaneous conduit has been developed that allows for an invisible, leak-proof, and relatively stricture-free means through which antegrade enemas can be given.