Ileostomy with the EEA stapler.

The EEA instrument was used to perform ileostomy in three patients. Two female patients with complications of Crohn's colitis underwent total colectomy and proctocolectomy, respectively. The first patient was operated upon because of toxic megacolon and the second patient for severe perianal disease. A third male patient underwent total colectomy for severe ulcerative colitis that failed to respond to medical therapy. In all patients, ileocutaneous anastomosis was performed with the EEA stapler (ILS, Ethicon). No serious complications were observed except for slight retraction of the ileostomy in one patient after he had gained 22 pounds.