Can paediatric surgeons perform restorative proctocolectomy to the same standard as adult colo-rectal surgeons?
Introduction: Restorative proctocolectomy (RP) is a major procedure with high complication rates. Because paediatric surgeons see few patients requiring RP there is concern whether they can perform this surgery safely. This study compares operative characteristics, complications and functional outcomes in children undergoing RP under an adult surgeon (AS) and a paediatric surgeon (PS). The effects of staging surgery into initial colectomy with subsequent proctectomy and pouch formation, or one stage restorative proctocolectomy are also compared. Methods: Case note review of consecutive children undergoing RP with retrieval of the following data: staging of surgery, blood loss, operative time, major/minor complications, functional outcome, pouchitis. Results: 25 children,13 girls, underwent RP, 15 under PS (stapled J pouch, hand sewn pouch-anal anastamoses), 10 under AS (hand-sewn W pouch, stapled pouch-anal anastamoses), all with covering ileostomy. Results are means.
