Pelvic reservoir with S-pouch - Can surgeons evaluate the results of theirown operations?

PURPOSE: This study; was designed to evaluate whether operating surgeons co uld follow up the functional outcome of their own operations, without bias, by using standardized methods at follow-up. METHODS: Fifty-five patients w ho received a pelvic reservoir with an S-pouch were evaluated regarding fun ctional outcome after at least one year postoperative follow-up. The functi onal surgical outcome was evaluated by an internist especially trained in g astroenterology and the operating surgeon by using a standardized scale com prising eight functional variables. RESULTS: None of the variables analyzed reached statistically significant difference between the two observers, an d a high degree of agreement could be shown by using kappa and weighted kap pa analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that it is possible for an o perating surgeon to assess the postoperative surgical outcome using standar dized methods at follow-up.