Ulcerative Colitis

SINCE 1915 a continuing interest in ulcerative colitis at the Massachusetts General Hospital has been shown by a series of staff members, both medical and surgical. The years have witnessed an evolution in operative management from simple appendicostomy to primary total colectomy and ileostomy at one stage. Clinical studies published in the past have dealt with the proper timing and type of operation, appraisal of the ileostomy nuisance and evaluation of the complications of ileostomy.1 2 3 Separation of patients into medical and surgical groups has been a matter of custom to conform to the necessity of so dividing clinical responsibilities, and . . .