Proctocolectomy with ileostomy
When ulcerative colitis is severe and no longer responding to medication, the colon and rectum may need to be removed. The end of the small intestine, the ileum, is then brought through an opening in the abdominal wall called a stoma, so waste can drain into an appliance rather than passing through the rectum.
Restorative proctocolectomy (ileo-anal pouch)
Also known as ileal pouch-anal anastomosis, or IPAA. The colon and rectum are still removed, but the ileum is brought down and joined to the anus, and shaped into a pouch that acts as a reservoir. This means you continue to pass stool normally rather than into a bag.
Which operation suits you depends on the disease, your general health and what matters most to you. Professor El-Khoury works with a team of stomal therapy nurses who meet patients before surgery, help with siting a stoma, and stay contactable afterwards.
Professor El-Khoury will talk through the operation with you in the rooms, covering why it is being recommended, what it involves, the risks and the benefits. He also provides Royal Australasian College of Surgeons information sheets on the procedure so you can read them at home and bring questions back.
This page is general information, not medical advice. What applies to you depends on your history, your examination and your results. Bring your questions to the consultation.