Proctocolectomy | |
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Specialty | Colorectal surgery |
Proctocolectomy is the surgical removal of the entire colon and rectum from the human body, leaving the patients small intestine disconnected from their anus.[1] It is a major surgery that is performed by colorectal surgeons, however some portions of the surgery, specifically the colectomy (removal of the colon) may be performed by general surgeons.[2] It was first performed in 1978 and since that time, medical advancements have led to the surgery being less invasive with great improvements in patient outcomes.[3] The procedure is most commonly indicated for severe forms of inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. It is also the treatment of choice for patients with familial adenomatous polyposis.[4]