Surgeons at the USC Center for Colorectal Disease diligently focus on matching the extent of surgery with the extent of disease, avoiding, whenever possible, colostomies and ileostomies. Their goal is to achieve wide margins around tumors and to perform sophisticated reconstructive procedures that will maximize cure without compromising the ability to restore intestinal continuity and function. The Kock procedure involves the creation of an internal pouch for storage and a valve for continence. The pouch is emptied three times a day through a catheter inserted into the pouch, allowing its contents to flow directly into the toilet. In this procedure, surgeons create a pouch out of the terminal ilium and sew it to the anal muscles.
Patients can then defecate through their anus in the usual way.
Patients have about five bowel movements a day and maintain the ability to defer defecation until a socially convenient time. The USC Center for Colorectal Disease offers expertise in performing laparoscopically assisted colectomy, a relatively new procedure that allows surgeons to safely and effectively remove segments of the colon through minimally invasive surgical techniques. Our preliminary studies indicate this procedure can reduce pain and the length of hospitalization with low morbidity. Specialists at the USC Center for Colorectal Diseases have extensive surgical experience and technical expertise that have resulted in improved outcomes with fewer complications. Both facilities provide the latest in technology and patient care.