Pouchitis

Pouchitis and Irritable Pouch Syndrome (IPS) are among the most common complications after removal of the colon with application of an ileoanal pouch. Pouchitis is an inflammation of the mucosa of the pouch. The "functional" symptoms of IPS occur without any detectable inflammatory or anatomical/structural changes. Both complications are associated with a considerable impairment of quality of life and are therefore of particular importance for affected patients.

For the therapy of pouchitis, there are very different therapy options available. Antibiotics are the first choice. The therapy of chronic refractory pouchitis is often difficult despite the use of immunosuppressive drugs or TNF-blockers . Like irritable bowel syndrome, irritable pouch syndrome is treated symptom-oriented.

1. Dalal RL et al (2018) Management of Pouchitis and Other Common Complications of the Pouch. Inflamm Bowel Dis 24: 989-996.