End ileo but colon still inside.. will it need to go one day?

Hi Everyone.. something Hodaya posted on another thread got me thinking...

As you all know I had an end ileo formed in July 2011 for colonic inertia/dysmotility after a perforated colon and 3 other surgeries the previous year. Turned out something along the way (infection or surgery) caused my colon (what was left of it) to stop working altogether.

I was so desperate at the time, I just begged my surgeon to do the ileo and didn't really think much about the colon left inside. He just stapled it up and left it in there. Not entirely sure why, but think he was hopeful that one day he could reconnect me?!?

Anyway.. I'm suffering a bit with spasmy pain in my rectum and low left hand side of my abdomen and also production of mucous etc. Not a big problem really and isn't really bothering me.. BUT am thinking longer term and am now wondering if that redundant colon will one day need to come out???

Is there a higher risk of cancer or any sort of diversion colitis getting worse?? should I get a colonoscopy done or have any sort of testing?

Not sure I want anyone going near me with a scalpel any time soon though!!

Thanks Sarahx

I too own my colon and rectum but have a permanent ileostomy. My ileo was necessitated by permanent colon/rectum injury in a GYN surgery at a different hospital than the ileo was done. I have mucous suctioned out of my rectum periodically. And every 2 weeks I have to do a small mucous enema of my own. This summer I had my first active disuse colitis flare. What a surprise that was for me as I never had any colitis of any kind. BUT the unused colon though healthy can flare with the disuse colitis at will. I was running to the bathroom and pooping out blood and mucous for a week. I was in bed for 2 days with severe pelvic rectal cramps. It did go on its own.

I asked my new ileo surgeon (original one retired) what he recommends for treatment and if I could have rx's for it when I travel for "just in case". He said NO. I persevered and got the Annusol AC and Canassa Suppositories. I was not about to let some flare of this happen far from home and not have a clue what to do about it. The third drug the Butyrate short chain fatty acid enema was not something I could tote along in a travel kit for "just in case" but it is the third line of treatment. I had only so far this one flare of active disuse colitis, but it was a whopper.

I too wonder about the future of my unused colon. Rosemary

maazee11

What is the name of the foam that you use? Rosemary

My colon, rectum, and pelvic floor were all damaged and scarred from original GYN surgery that on review did not need to be done. Had to look for 13 months to find someone to do what could be done to save me as I also had scarred small intestine and could not eat or defecate. So the lysis of small bowel adhesions and the ileo were all that could be done and am lucky I found someone to do it.

That being said, I am guessing that the reason the ileo surgeon left my colon in me is that unearthing my small bowel from the really dense adhesions pushed things to the limits. Took 4 hours and was not easy. I think removal of colon would have created MORE adhesions, I THINK that is why he left it. BUT, I too wonder the fate of it and of these disuse colitis attacks. Can you find the name of the foam? Thanks