Long-term outcome of left- vs right-sided antegrade continence enema

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: This study compared long-term outcomes of left- vs right-sided antegrade continence enema (ACE) procedures. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed medical records and performed a follow-up telephone survey of patients who underwent the ACE procedure at Severance Children's Hospital between 1999 and 2011. RESULTS: A total of 49 patients underwent 51 ACE procedures. The procedures were left-sided ACE in 25 patients (group 1) and right-sided in 26 patients (group 2), including 2 patients who underwent left-sided procedures a few years earlier. Fecal soiling was more common in group 1 than in group 2 (8/25 [32.0%] vs 1/26 [3.9%], respectively; P = .0109). Seven patients (28.0%) in group 1 had abdominal pain unrelieved by ACEs. Stomal reflux of fecal material was more frequent in group 1 than in group 2 (13/25 [52.0%] vs 0/26 [0%], respectively; P < .0001). Nonuse or infrequent use of ACE was more common in group 1 than in group 2 (11/25 [44.0%] vs 0/26 [0%], respectively; P < .0001). Patient satisfaction was higher in group 2 (P = .0015). CONCLUSIONS: In our experience using the sigmoid colon for left-sided ACE, right-sided ACE was superior to left-sided ACE in achieving fecal continence, resolving intractable constipation, and providing patient satisfaction.ope