Dr. Don Schiller - The Ileostomy Specialist
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Dr. Don Schiller has retired from his practice
involving BCIR and Kock Pouch surgery.

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A J-Pouch Can Increase Infertility in Woman

November 14, 2014  ·  By: Dr. Don Schiller

Not only can a failed j-pouch cause myriad health problems for patients, but the continence option can increase infertility among female patients.

According to a meta-analysis conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan, woman with J-pouches are three times more likely to have difficulty conceiving a child.

Infertility, defined as not achieving pregnancy in 12 months of attempting conception, increased from 15 percent to 48 percent in women who have J-pouches for cure of ulcerative colitis.

Researchers were unable to identify procedural factors or patient characteristics that could increase infertility in women with a J-pouch. Scarring of a woman’s fallopian tubes appeared to be the most likely reason for decreased fertility.

The studies analyzed were conducted from 1990-2005. Therefore, improved medical and laparoscopic techniques since these studies occurred could somewhat decrease the impact of a J-pouch on fertility.

Even so, the risk to a young woman’s fertility is inherent. Therefore, women who need a surgical procedure to manage the effects of ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease or colon cancer are choosing BCIR surgery instead of a J-pouch.

Many young women and men opt for the Barnett Continent Intestinal Reservoir since there’s little chance of infertility and this option provides much more freedom than a J-pouch or conventional ileostomy.

The BCIR is a modification of the Kock pouch. Dr. Schiller creates a reservoir and nipple valve from a patient’s small intestine. A stoma on the patient’s abdomen allows access to the reservoir. Several times a day, the patient inserts a catheter into the reservoir and removes waste directly into the toilet.

Apart from a decreased chance of infertility, BCIR benefits include:

  • No gas or stool escape from the stoma,
  • Less skin irritation,
  • The stoma is flat and flush with the skin,
  • No external bags are necessary,
  • Shorter hospital stay,
  • Decreased chance of fistulas
  • More control over elimination,
  • Increased ability to be physically and sexually active.

To learn more about the Barnett Continent Intestinal Reservoir, contact Dr. Schiller’s office. He will discuss all your surgical options for providing intestinal continence.

Retirement Announcement

Dr. Don Schiller has retired from his practice involving BCIR and Kock Pouch surgery. To find a surgeon who can help you, go to www.qla-ostomy.org and click on the tab Medical Info and you will see a Directory of all the surgeons in the country who perform Continent Ileostomy surgery.

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