Two hundred twenty-four ileal pouch-anal anastomoses have been made, 122 for ulcerative colitis and 102 for familial adenomatous polyposis. All the patients had a J pouch and a diverting temporary ileostomy. Mortality was 0.5%. Twenty-eight % of the patients with ulcerative colitis and 24% of the patients with familial adenomatous polyposis had various postoperative complications. Seventy-two patients with ulcerative colitis had a follow-up of more than one year. They had a mean of 4.6 stools per 24 hours; 84% had a normal day-time continence and 70% a normal nocturnal continence. Sixty-nine patients with familial adenomatous polyposis had a follow-up of more than one year. They had a mean of 4.1 stools per 24 hours; 93% had a normal daytime continence and 91% a normal nocturnal continence. In conclusion, ileal pouch-anal anastomosis can be made safely, with good functional results.