Influence of Corticosteroids on the Results of Surgical Treatment for Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract The influence of treatment with corticosteroids on the mortality and morbidity of 140 patients undergoing surgical treatment for ulcerative colitis was examined in a retrospective study. After separation of these patients according to the severity of their disease, no difference in operative result, complications, duration of postoperative hospital stay, healing of the perineal wound and status of health could be found between patients treated and those not treated with steroids. Poorer results in these respects were found with the greater severity of colitis.