Surgical Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis

ULCERATIVE COLITIS MEDICAL JOURNAL151.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~EIA ORA treatment but keep the possibility of surgery in constant review with a surgeon particularly interested and experienced in this field.I have been fortunate in having the tolerant and enthusiastic support of Professor Goligher at a combined medical and surgical follow-up clinic which we have run together in Leeds for the last five years, and in which the medical and surgical fortunes of our patients have been reviewed together.Summary Medical treatment of the colitic patient is described.The results of treatment and the relative merits and disadvantages of treatment with sulphasalazine and steroid compounds administered topically and systemically are detailed.Problems arising in the long-term medical treatment of colitis are touched upon, notably the risk of carcinomatous transformation, of distal extension in segmental colitis, and the physical retardation of the child affected by the disease.Finally, an analysis of the outcome of surgery in patients who have received steroids has emphasized the importance of supportive therapy in the operative and post-operative period.It is also emphasized that the vicious nature of the acute fulminating attack of the disease makes early recourse to surgery necessary unless medical treatment proves immediately successful.