Surgical outcomes, bowel habits and quality of life in young patients after ileoanal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis

Purpose We aim to investigate the postoperative outcomes, bowel habits and quality of life (QoL) of younger pediatric ulcerative colitis (UC) patients following surgical intervention compared to an older pediatric population. Methods Medical records of UC patients after colectomy with ileoanal reconstruction (2002–2013) at our institution were reviewed. Patients/parents completed a QoL, bowel habits and disease course questionnaire. Surgical outcomes, bowel habits and QoL were reported comparing the younger (≤ 11 years old, n = 26) to older (> 11 years old, n = 38) cohorts. Results The mean age at colectomy was 7.04 ± 0.63 years vs 14.71 ± 0.32 years in the two groups. Patients had a significant (P < 0.001) reduction in stooling frequency after surgery in both age groups and had favorable rates of fecal continence. The frequency of pouchitis and postoperative small bowel obstruction was similar in both cohorts. Dehydration was slightly increased in the younger population but not significant. Anastomotic leak and stricture rates were slightly reduced in younger patients. Postoperative QoL was favorable and similar regardless of age at surgery. Conclusions Colectomy with ileoanal anastomosis for young children (≤ 11 years old) with UC is without increased complications relative to older patients and maintains a postoperative QoL and stool patterns.