Between 1984 and 1989, 30 patients underwent total coloproctectomy with J ileal pouch and ileo-anal anastomosis. They corresponded to 29 cases of ulcerative colitis and one case of familial polyposis. The authors report their own experience and the related morbidity and functional results. There were 23% fistulae, 6.6% pouchitis, 10% stenoses, 8.7% pelvic abscesses, 10% bowel obstructions, 6.6% fistulae after ileostomy closure. Only one pouch had to be removed for severe pouchitis. Functional results were partly related to post-operative complications: 50% of patients had normal continence, 57% at least 6 stools per day, 81% had one stool per night, 15% had soiling. Morbidity is discussed for the various types of complications.