Prospective analysis of perioperative morbidity in one hundred consecutive colectomies for ulcerative colitis.

Overview

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to evaluate prospectively the indications for surgical treatment and perioperative morbidity for patients with idiopathic ulcerative colitis (UC). METHODS: Between January 1985 and August 1994, 145 patients were referred to the senior author (F.M.) for treatment of UC. Data were prospectively collected. One hundred patients have completed all stages of their surgical treatment and have been followed up for at least 1 year. These 100 patients form the basis of this study. RESULTS: Thirty patients underwent a proctocolectomy with end-ileostomy in one (25) or two (5) stages. Seventy patients underwent a restorative proctocolectomy with ileal J-pouch anal anastomosis in either one (2), two (37), or three stages (31). In total 100 patients underwent 204 procedures. Failure of medical treatment was by far the most common indication. The initial colectomy was performed electively in 61 patients and urgently in the remaining 39. The rate of perioperative complications for elective and urgent colectomy was 26% and 44%, respectively (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The overall perioperative morbidity rate remains high and almost doubles for urgent cases. Reducing the need for urgent procedures by earlier elective colectomy may allow for a reduction in perioperative morbidity.