Proctocolectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the colon and rectum. It is most often used in the treatment of patients who suffer from severe and unremitting symptoms of ulcerative colitis, and can take the form of a procedure called “ileal pouch anal anastomosis” or a procedure called an “ileostomy.” In an ileal pouch anal anastomosis, the exterior muscles of the anus are left intact while the diseased portion of the colon and interior of the rectum is removed. Next, a special “pouch” is created from the end of the ileum and secured inside the anus as a receptacle for stool. This “restorative colectomy” procedure allows the patient to have normal bowel movements without the need for an external ileostomy pouch. In an ileostomy, a hole called a stoma is surgically created in the abdominal wall and the lower part of the small intestine is attached to it. The patient wears a pouch over this opening and empties it when necessary. Many ileostomy procedures are performed as temporary measures to allow healing of a patient’s bowel.
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