Ileal reservoir is a medical term that refers to a surgical procedure where a section of the ileum, the final segment of the small intestine, is used to create a pouch that acts as a bladder for the storage and passage of urine. Its correct pronunciation is [ɪˈliːəl rɛzərˌvwɑr], with an emphasis on the second syllable of 'ileal'. The 'e' in 'ileal' is pronounced as 'ee', while the stress is on the first syllable of 'reservoir'. The word is spelled according to its pronunciation and is used in urology and gastrointestinal surgery.
An ileal reservoir, also known as an ileal pouch or ileo-anal pouch, is a surgical procedure performed to create a new internal reservoir for holding fecal material and maintaining continence in patients who have undergone a complete removal of their large intestine, often due to conditions such as ulcerative colitis or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).
During the ileal reservoir procedure, the surgeon constructs a pouch using a portion of the patient's small intestine (the ileum) in order to create a reservoir that will serve as a temporary storage for stool. The ileum is folded and stitched to create a pouch structure that mimics the function of the large intestine. This newly formed pouch is then connected to the anus, allowing the patient to pass stool through the normal passage.
The ileal reservoir is specially designed to enable patients to have better control over their bowel movements and to avoid the need for a permanent external ileostomy, where stool is collected in an external pouch attached to a surgically created opening in the abdominal wall. With the ileal reservoir, patients can generally achieve better quality of life and maintain social continence, as they regain the ability to pass stool through the natural anal opening.
After the surgery, patients may experience adjustments in bowel habits and may need to empty the pouch more frequently than with a normal large intestine. However, with time and adaptation, most individuals can resume a relatively normal daily routine, including regular physical activities and regular diet. Regular follow-up with medical professionals is essential to monitor the function of the ileal reservoir and address any potential complications.
The word "ileal reservoir" is derived from multiple sources:
1. Ileum: The term "ileum" refers to a part of the small intestine, which is a section of the digestive tract. The word "ileum" comes from the Latin word "ileus", meaning "twist" or "convolution". It is named so because of the numerous twists and turns present in this part of the intestine.
2. Reservoir: The term "reservoir" is borrowed from the French word "réservoir", which means "storehouse" or "receptacle". It originated from the Latin word "reservare", which means "to keep back" or "to preserve".
When these two terms are combined, "ileal reservoir" refers to a surgically created pouch or reservoir made from a segment of the ileum, usually in the context of urinary diversion or surgical management of certain diseases.