Pouchitis

Pouchitis

overview

Pouchitis is an inflammation that occurs in the lining of a pouch created during surgery to treat ulcerative colitis or certain other diseases. Many people with ulcerative colitis need to have their diseased colon removed and the intestines reconnected using a procedure called ileoanal anastomosis (J-pouch) surgery.

In J-pouch surgery, surgeons use the end of the small intestine (ileum) to create a pouch shaped like the letter J. The bag is attached internally to the area directly above the anus to contain waste before it is removed.

Pouchitis is a complication of J-pouch surgery. It occurs in about a quarter to almost half of people who undergo the procedure.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of pouchitis may include diarrhea, abdominal pain, joint pain, cramps, and fever. Other signs and symptoms include an increased number of bowel movements, passing stools at night, difficulty controlling bowel movements, and a strong urge to defecate.

Clinical trials

Find out about Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a way to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.

Pouchitis care

Sources:

1. Sedano R. et al. Diagnose- und Managementansatz für Pouchitis bei entzündlichen Darmerkrankungen. Arquivos de Gastroenterologia. 2019; doi:10.1590/S0004-2803.202000000-17.
2. Shen B. Pouchitis: Epidemiologie, klinische Manifestationen und Diagnose. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Abgerufen am 4. September 2020.
3. Braun AY. AllScripts EPSi. Mayo-Klinik. 4. September 2020.