| Popis: |
Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) followed by total proctocolectomy is routinely performed to patients with medically refractory ulcerative colitis or colitis-associated neoplasia with a goal of improved health and quality of life. Apart from standard postoperative medical and surgical follow-ups, the patients anticipate recommendations on long-term pouch maintenance in terms of nutrition, exercise, pain control, and lifestyle modifications. There are no established guidelines for IPAA patients in pouch health maintenance. Every patient’s post-IPAA journey varies with underlying inflammatory bowel disease or pouch disorders, age, gender, lifestyle, and comorbidities. Moreover, the maintenance of pouch health needs not only to be physical, but also psychological and social. We should understand individual patient’s perceptions and expectations of his or her own health before and after IPAA, threshold for pain, individual habits including diet, exercise, smoking, and willingness to modify lifestyle. All these factors directly or indirectly affect long-term pouch outcomes and general health. The journey of pouch patients can be less stressful when there is adequate support from their families and caregivers. It is beneficial that patients, their family members, and caregivers are made aware of potential issues related to a healthy or diseased ileal pouch, such as expected mile stones during staged pouch surgeries, dehydration, bowel frequency, nutrition, as well as emotional impact. |
