Background: In 1978, Drs. Fischer and Martin were among the first to preserve anorectal continence and create a pelvic reservoir in adult patients, in what has become the ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA).

Methods: Here we review our institutions’ experience with 379 of these procedures from 1978 to present. To assess the specific health concerns of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and determine the effects of IPAA on health-related quality of life, we evaluated patients with the SF-36, the Rating Form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patient Concerns (RFIPC), time trade-off questions, and a gamble question.

Results: IPAA patients did not differ from the general population in seven of eight general health categories assessed by the SF-36. When compared with the UC population as a whole using the RFIPC they had reduced concerns in almost all areas. In addition, time trade-off and gamble questions indicated that these patients, as a group, are willing to accept a significant risk of dying in order to achieve their results of the IPAA.

Conclusions: This high level of satisfaction has led to the referral of patients who would not have otherwise considered a procedure requiring permanent ileostomy.