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What Is the Ace Procedure?

The ACE Procedure is also known as the Antegrade Continent Enema procedure. It is an alternative way to give an enema and can be an option for children who need long term enema therapy.

  1. Procedure

    • The ACE procedure is surgical procedure for children. It consists of giving an enema through a tube made out of a child's appendix or piece of intestine. The tube allows a tunnel to be made to the colon from the outside of a child’s abdomen, where a small opening called a stoma exists. During the procedure, doctors will create a valve to enable leakage from the stoma.

    Benefits

    • The ACE procedure can be beneficial to children who want an alternative to having daily enemas that are given through the rectum. In addition, the ACE procedure can be done as an outpatient procedure or a short stay in the hospital as opposed to an extended stay. In some cases, the ACE procedure can enable children to give themselves enemas through the created tube which passes through the wall of the abdomen.

    Considerations

    • Signs that a child may need to be treated with enemas to regulate bowel movements can only be assessed by a doctor. After assessing symptoms and signs with a medical professional, it is best to determine if the ACE procedure is right option for a child.

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