Ileocolic anastomosis
Ileocolic anastomosis or an ileocolic is the joining together of the end of the ileum to the first part of the colon.
Some facts about Ileocolic anastomosis:
- Ileocolic anastomosis is usually performed after a bowel resection in people with Crohn's disease as the disease often affects the small intestine and first part of the large intestine.
- The intestines is rejoined after a bowel resection by performing an ileocolic anastomosis
- Blood clots, bleeding, scarring, blockage, stricture, or abnormal narrowing, damage to surrounding structures, infections, which can lead to sepsis and anastomotic leakage, or leaking where the intestine is reconnected are some of the risk associated with Ileocolic anastomosis.
- A surgical anastomosis is an artificial connection made by a surgeon which may be done when an artery, vein, or part of the intestine is blocked off.
- The portion that is blocked will be removed by resection and the two remaining parts will then be anastomosed, or joined together, and sewn or stapled.
Preparation for Ileocolic anastomosis:
- Avoid eating and drinking anything at least four hours before Ileocolic anastomosis.
- You may drink a sip of water with your medications if needed.
- Any history of bleeding disorders or are taking any blood-thinning (anticoagulant) medicines, aspirin, or other medicines that affect blood clotting should be informed to your healthcare provider as you may need to stop taking these medicines before your surgery.
- The possible complications and side effects, the risks, and what the operation involves will be discussed with you by your doctor.
Procedure for Ileocolic anastomosis:
- Anastomosis can be performed using laparoscopy in most cases in which the surgery is done through a small incision using a small instrument called a laparoscope.
- A laparoscope is a long, thin tube with a camera and light attached at the end of it which help doctors to view inside your body while they perform surgery.
- Thierer are deferent techniques used by surgeons to perform an ileocolic anastomosis which may depend on the difference in diameter of each portion of the intestine that needs to be joined together.
- End-to-end (EEA):
- The two open ends of the intestines will be connected together by End-to-end (EEA).
- Side-to-side (SSA):
- The sides of each part of the bowel will be connected together rather than the two ends in Side-to-side (SSA).
- The ends will be stapled or sewn closed. There is less risk of having narrowing complications in the future i case of SSA anastomoses.
- End-to-side (ESA):
- The end of the intestine that is smaller will be connected with the side of the larger one in End-to-side (ESA).
- An EEA can only be done with sutures where as an SSA is usually done with staples to join together the two parts of the intestine.
- Staples take less time to perform.
- The end-to-end anastomosis (EEA) is possible only using the traditional handsewn technique.
- An End-to-side (ESA) is commonly used in a right hemicolectomy which proceeds in a manner very similar to that of the EEA.
- A stapled anastomosis is generally recommended.
- The stapled FEEA was developed to decrease anastomotic complications.
- The FEEA is a side-to-side anastomosis(SSA), and follows the excision of the ileocecal site and the ascending colon using linear staplers.
- The wider diameter, a reduction in intraluminal pressure, and less proximal ischemia is the reason behind choosing FEEA.
