A Kock pouch is a type of continent ileostomy which creates a reservoir where digestive waste can be stored and only comes out when you allow it to. The procedure involves creating a pouch from the person’s own small intestine, as well as a valve which is made from the small intestine and is self-sealing.
During surgery a catheter is placed into the pouch and connects to a drainage system. Once sufficient healing has occurred (about 2 weeks in the hospital), the tube is removed and you learn how to drain the internal pouch yourself. You will be given specific instructions and a calendar of your “intubation schedule”, gradually increasing the interval between emptying your internal pouch on a weekly basis from every 2 hours up to every 4-6 hours.
DIET
In the early weeks and first few months after surgery, a low residue diet will help to avoid having the drainage catheter become plugged, requiring more manipulations than desirable. Once the pouch capacity has expanded, the tough to digest foods sit in the pouch in-between your draining the pouch contents, and so they keep being digested and broken down by the intestinal pouch doing what intestine naturally does.
BCIR
The BCIR or Barnett Continent Intestinal Reservoir, is an updated version of the Kock Pouch. The BCIR adds the benefit of an intestinal collar that wraps around the outside of the valve, helping to maintain it in a proper stable position. Contact Dr. Schiller today to go over all your ileostomy options.