When surgery is needed for ulcerative colitis

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Surgery is likely to be needed for ulcerative colitis when:

Medicines and nutritional therapy have failed to manage severe symptoms.
Toxic megacolon does not respond to medical treatment within 4 days (or sooner in some cases).
Holes develop in the large intestine (perforation).
You have colon cancer, a significantly increased risk of cancer (detected by biopsies), or a narrowing in the intestine that cannot be distinguished from cancer, even if you do not have symptoms of active disease.
Severe, disabling complications occur outside the colon. However, some complications do not respond to surgery.
Severe bleeding requires ongoing blood transfusions.
Slow growth or other serious complications occur in children.

People may choose to have surgery to improve their quality of life, cure ulcerative colitis, or prevent the possibility of colon cancer.

Credits

Author	Monica Rhodes
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology
Last Updated	November 14, 2006

Last updated:	November 14, 2006
Author:	Monica Rhodes
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman

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