J Pouch Surgery Specialists in Rochester, NY

What is a J-pouch?

When the colon and rectum are removed (due to ulcerative colitis or familial adenomatous polyposis), another reservoir must be created for bowel contents (stool) to exit the body. Surgically creating a “J” shaped reservoir (called a J-pouch) is an option for selected patients to store and pass stool. A J pouch is created out of an individual’s own small bowel. The surgeons at RCRS offer leading-edge robot-assisted J pouch surgery to selected patients. To learn more about this procedure and if you’re a candidate, please call (585) 222-6566 to schedule a consultation at one of our six colorectal surgery centers.

How is a J-pouch created?

In a surgical procedure called a total proctocolectomy and ileal pouch anal anastomosis, the entire colon and rectum are removed. A reservoir is created from the distal small bowel (called the ileum), which is then joined to the anal canal. This pouch serves as a storage place for stool. The patient is able to pass bowel movements through the usual route, eliminating the need for a permanent ostomy (also called a stool bag).

Who is a J-pouch candidate?

J-pouch procedures have become the gold standard for treating chronic ulcerative colitis in which medical therapy has failed to control a patient’s symptoms. J-pouches also are used for familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), and for selected patients who have been diagnosed and treated for colon and rectal cancer.

What are the benefits of a J-pouch?

Having control over bowel movements
Not having an ostomy (stool bag)
Being free from the need to instantly find a restroom

Why come to the Rochester Colon and Rectal Surgeons (RCRS)?

Rochester Colon and Rectal Surgeons offer minimally invasive and robotic J pouch surgery. The surgeons at RCRS are the most experienced group of board-certified colorectal specialists in Upstate NY to offer robotic-assisted colorectal surgery.

RCRS Facts

• Six board-certified colorectal surgeons offer minimally invasive J-pouch procedures.
• The largest group of experienced colorectal specialists in Western NY to offer J pouch surgery.
• The only group of colorectal providers in Rochester NY to offer a support group for patients before and after J pouch surgery Most experienced group of board-certified colorectal specialists in Western NY to offer robotic-assisted colorectal surgery
  
• The first group of colorectal surgeons in Western NY to unite on-site medical expertise for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with state-of-the-art surgical care for IBD.