Long-term evaluation of the endorectal Soave operation performed for ulcerative colitis or polyposis in the pediatric patient

Background. A follow-up study was conducted to evaluate the late results of the operation that we have performed for ulcerative colitis and polyposis during the past 25 years. Methods. Sixty-seven consecutive patients less than 21 years of age who underwent a standard operation for ulcerative colitis or polyposis performed by or under direct supervision of one surgeon were included in the follow-up study 2 to 15 years after operation. Results. The 11 patients with polyposis all had "excellent" results. Of the 56 patients with ulcerative colitis, results were "good" or excellent in 48. Of the eight patients with less than good results, one died of complications of preexisting muscular dystrophy; four, or possibly six, had Crohn's disease. Presumably the original disease was Crohn's colitis instead of ulcerative colitis. Conclusions. The results of the study suggested that this operation was not appropriate for Crohn's disease and underscored the importance and the difficulties of differentiating the two conditions, if they are indeed separate entities.