BCIRostomy.com - Clinical Studies (main)

A retrospective outcome analysis was performed in 1994 on 510 patients who received the BCIR procedure between January 1988 and December 1991. The study was published in The Diseases of the Colon and Rectum, June 1995. All patients in this study were between one and five years post-op with an admitting diagnosis of ulcerative colitis or familial polyposis.*

Approximately 73% were conversions from conventional (Brooke) ileostomies, 9% were conversions from failed alternative procedures and 18% were primary proctocolectomies.

The study found that approximately 92% of the patients have functional BCIR pouches at least one year following surgery. As illustrated in the first table, a total of 87.2% of patients required no or minor subsequent surgery to ensure a functioning pouch. Only 6.5% of the 510 patients required subsequent removal of the pouch. The majority of these pouch excisions (removals) occurred within the first year (63.6%).

Major complications included valve slippage, fistula formation, and pouch leakage. Of the 32 patients treated for valve slippage, 23 achieved a fully functioning pouch. Pouch or valve fistulas effected 52 patients, 39 ultimately achieved successful results. Pouch leaks occured in 11 patients, of these 7 have functioning pouches. The incidences of complications are listed in the next two tables.

Complications not related to the pouch itself parallel those which accompany other types of abdominal surgery. The most frequent is small bowel obstruction which was seen in 50 patients, 20 of whom required surgical intervention.

The retrospective study further evaluated the impact of the operation on each patient's perceived quality of life. As the chart indicates, over 87% of the patients feel their quality of life is better after having the BCIR.

If you have any more questions or concerns regarding our outcomes, please e-mail Susan Kay, or give her a call at 1-866-438-7330. Don't forget to ask her to send you a free video or CD about the BCIR procedure.

Outcome Analysis of 42 Failed J-Pouches Converted to BCIRs
* Those with Crohn's disease or a colostomy are not candidates for a BCIR.