title: Review: the surgical management of ulcerative colitis.
abstract: The treatment of ulcerative colitis requires careful review of the medical and surgical options. The surgical procedure of choice is proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. This procedure removes the diseased mucosa, effectively curing the disease whilst maintaining the normal route of defecation and continence. Other surgical options that may be considered in selected patients include proctocolectomy with either a Brooke ileostomy or a Kock pouch, and abdominal colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis. The choice of operation requires consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of a particular procedure and must be tailored to an individual patient's needs and circumstances.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Christchurch School of Medicine, Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand. ffrizelle@chmeds.ac.nz
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Frizelle
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Burt
mesh_terms: D003082:Colectomy; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D016737:Proctocolectomy, Restorative