Early Colectomy in Severe Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract

The mortality of severe ulcerative colitis was reduced from 22.2 to 7.7 per cent since early colectomy was started two years ago. Most deaths occurred when one-stage proctocolectomy was performed. This favours removal of rectum at a later stage. Peritonitis was a common complication and postoperative antibiotic treatment should follow the same policy as the treatment of septicemia.

Key-words:

• Colectomy
• colitis, ulcerative
• colon