Pouchitis

Overview

Many people with serious ulcerative colitis end up having their diseased colon removed and the bowel reconnected with a surgical procedure known as ileoanal anastomosis (IPAA) . This surgery creates an internal pouch (from the small intestine) to hold waste before it's eliminated. Pouchitis is an inflammation of the lining of this pouch. This complication occurs in up to half of people who have this operation. They experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramps, increased number of bowel movements and a strong feeling of the need to have a bowel movement.

Why choose Mayo Clinic

• Experience. Mayo Clinic surgeons perform large numbers of IPAA procedures. As a consequence, Mayo doctors are experienced in managing pouchitis, treating more than 400 people who have this condition each year.
• Expertise. Mayo Clinic has the expertise and tools to distinguish pouchitis from other possible causes of your symptoms and to effectively treat the kind of disease you have.
• Teamwork. Surgeons, digestive disease specialists, pathologists and others who specialize in treating pouchitis work together to find the best option for your situation.
• Efficiency. In Mayo's integrated practice, you can see all the specialists you need in one convenient location, usually during the same visit.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., ranks No. 1 for digestive disorders in the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings. Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., are ranked high performing for digestive disorders by U.S. News & World Report.