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Abstract: . An alternative technique of restorative proctocolectomy, by means of straight ileoanal anastomosis with multiple myotomies (SIAM) of the terminal ileum in 15 patients, nine with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and six with ulcerative colitis (UC) is reported. Surgical technique: eight to ten longditudinal myotomies (3 – 4 cm long, on three different circumferential sites) were performed on the terminal ileum for a total length of 12 – 14 cm. Clinical results: at a mean follow up of 44 months (range 3 – 84 months) from the closure of the ileostomy, daytime continence was achieved in all the patients; stool frequency per 24 hours (±SD) was 4.1±1.8 for FAP patients and 5.8±1.7 for UC patients; nocturnal defecation was 1.0±0.5 and 1.2±0.8 for FAP and UC patients respectively; frequent nocturnal soiling was present in 2/5 of UC patients, and in 3/9 of FAP patients. SIAM failed in one UC patient that was converted to an ileoanal reservoir because of poor functional result. Signs of ileal mucosal inflammation were never observed at endoscopic examination. Histopathological assessment showed no evidence of acute terminal ileitis. Manometric findings: a significant postoperative reduction in anal resting pressure was observed after SIAM. Neither the absence of anal inhibitory reflex nor the presence of high pressure waves generated in the terminal ileum during air insufflation were related to the presence of soiling. The closure of the loop ileostomy was followed by an increased capacity and distensibility of the terminal ileum. Values of neorectal compliance were similar in FAP and UC patients although FAP patients were able to reach higher values of maximum tolerated volume and pressure. Conclusions: 1) SIAM can be an alternative to pelvic pouch in patients who have undergone restorative proctocolectomy when the construction of the pouch is not feasible. 2) The functional result observed after SIAM has been shown to be similar to that observed after pouch construction.

The penetration of cefotetan (2-g intravenous bolus) into the suction blister fluid and tissue homogenates of 11 patients was investigated. Mean concentrations in tissue were significantly lower than contemporary suction blister fluid levels. These data show that the determination of beta-lactam concentrations by the tissue homogenate method may seriously underestimate the actual antibiotic levels in extracellular fluid.