Overview of Surgical Treatment for Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract Surgery has consistently been a mainstay in the treatment of many forms of inflammatory bowel disease including ulcerative colitis (UC). Although surgical techniques and approaches have evolved over time, the ultimate goals of surgery for UC have remained: that is, to alleviate symptoms and mitigate cancer risk while maintaining the highest quality of life. The focus of this review is to provide a structured approach to surgical management of UC. The complexities of choosing the most appropriate surgical approach to this morbid disease will be outlined, along with a discussion of several commonly debated topics in the arena of surgery for UC.