Proctocolectomy is the
surgical removal of the
rectum and all or part of the
colon. It is the most widely accepted surgical method for
ulcerative colitis and
familial adenomatous polyposis
Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal dominant inherited condition in which numerous adenomatous polyps form mainly in the epithelium of the large intestine. While these polyps start out benign, malignant transformation into c ...
(FAP).
A proctocolectomy is considered a cure for ulcerative colitis, as the disease only attacks the large intestine and the rectum, and the disease cannot flare-up again, but extra-intestinal symptoms will remain. It can also be performed for
Crohn's disease that has damaged the entire large intestine and caused complications, but it does not cure or eliminate the disease.
See also
*
List of surgeries by type
References
Digestive system surgery
Rectum
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