Surgical treatment of ulcerative colitis: Ileorectal vs ileal pouch-anal anastomosis

Table 3 Main advantages and disadvantages of ileorectal anastomosis and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis

	IRA	IPAA
Advantages	Easier operation	Lower risk of cancer
	Lower infertility rate	No need for medical therapy
	Lower risk of urinary and sexual dysfunction	Less urgency
	Fewer bowel movements per day
	Better continence
Disadvantages	Need for maintenance therapy	Major operation
	Risk of recurrent/persistent disease	Risk of postoperative complications (pelvic nerves damage, pelvic sepsis, portal vein thrombosis)
	Higher risk of neoplastic degeneration	Pouchitis
	Need for strict surveillance
	More dietary and work restrictions

IRA: Ileorectal anastomosis; IPAA: Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis.