Consequences of the Retained Rectum in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The creation of an ileostomy or colostomy with diversion of the rectum or creation of a rectal stump is not uncommon in the surgical management of inflammatory bowel disease. There is a distinct set of complications that are directly related to the rectal remnant. Some of these complications such as rectal stump dehiscence with pelvic sepsis can occur in the immediate postoperative period. Other complications such as development or progression of perianal disease may take several months to develop. Finally, development of cancer in the rectal remnant may take years to develop.