A Kock Pouch is an innovative surgical solution for patients who must have a portion of the colon and rectum removed. It is an alternative to the other solutions available, which include the J-pouch and the conventional ileostomy. The Kock Pouch offers several notable benefits over these other procedures that can allow patients to live a fuller, more normal life.
A Kock Pouch involves the creation of an internal reservoir that stores the body’s waste until you are ready to release it. The reservoir is formed from your own small intestine. During this procedure, a portion of your small intestine will also be used to create a nipple valve, which will remain sealed until you choose to empty the reservoir. To empty the reservoir, you will simply insert a catheter into the valve and release waste into the toilet.
Shortly after the Kock Pouch procedure was developed, several problems became apparent. Because of these issues, many of the first Kock Pouches failed. However, in the late 1970s, Dr. William Barnett began making revisions and eventually developed the Barnett Continent Intestinal Reservoir procedure, which solved many of the problems present in the original design. This version of the Kock Pouch is used in our facility today.
The Barnett version of the Kock Pouch offers many advantages over other methods, including:
The Barnett version of the Kock Pouch is appropriate for patients who are preparing to have their colon and rectum removed, as well as for those who are unhappy with an existing J-pouch or conventional ileostomy. If you are interested in learning more about the Kock Pouch, contact our office today to schedule a consultation with our team.