Loveland Surgical Associates

 Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative Colitis is a disease characterized by inflammation of the large intestine. An inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ulcerative colitis can be debilitating and sometimes life-threatening. At times, ulcerative colitis can be controlled with medications. Sometimes surgical removal of the large intestine is needed due to poor medical control of the disease, or progression of the inflammation into cancer.

The surgical procedure for ulcerative colitis is removal of the colon and rectum, also called a proctocolectomy. In some cases, this requires an ileostomy, a direct connection of the small intestine to the skin to collect waste products in a bag. However, in many cases the small bowel may be connected to the anus to allow continued stool flow through the anal canal. The specific surgical options for ulcerative colitis can be discussed with your surgeon at Loveland Surgical Associates.