Biomechanical stabilization of the nipple valve in continent ileostomy

Abstract

Despite stapler stabilization, sliding complications of nipple valve function occur in 19 per cent of continent ileostomies. Because the tendency of the ileum to desuscept is triggered by traction forces on the mesentery of the nipple during filling of the reservoir, a technique was developed to neutralize this biomechanical strain. In addition, to obtain fibrous healing between the muscular layers, the mucosa of contacting intestinal walls was removed by selective ultrasonic fragmentation. The valves of 18 consecutive patients were operated on with this technique. In six of these, a sliding valve was restabilized in a median time of 1.2 (range 0.4-2.9) years after conventional construction of the pouch. All are functioning well after a median of 4.6 (range 3.0-6.0) years. Between 1.8 and 4.8 years after operation a healed area between the musculature of the nipple and pouch of 4.5-7.2 cm2 was shown by endosonography. This procedure may provide long-term prevention of sliding complications in continent ileostomies.