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]
| Proctocolectomy | |
|---|---|
 Total proctocolectomy | |
| Specialty | Colorectal surgery |
Indications
editAccording to the guidelines published by the American Society of Colon and rectal surgery, a proctocolectomy can be considered in patients who are suffering from severe ulcerative colitis (UC), a form of inflammatory bowel disease.[5] This procedure is considered curative for this condition because UC only affects the large colon and rectum.[6] Proctocolectomy may also be performed for severe Crohn’s disease, another form of inflammatory bowel disease, however this intervention is not considered curative. Surgical intervention for Crohn's disease is only pursued when medications are no longer effective or when extensive damage to the large colon and rectum has occurred.[7] The final most common indication for proctocolectomy is for individuals who suffer from Familial Adenomatous Polyposis.[4] This is a condition that is inherited from past generations and leads to dozens or even thousands of polyps inside the colon and rectum that can then become cancerous.[8]
Procedure steps
editThe surgical removal of the entire colon and rectum is a major surgery with many complex steps involved. In brief, the surgeon will begin by making an incision in the patient’s belly and then expose the colon (large intestine). They will then remove the entire large intestine being careful not to damage any other nearby internal organs.[9] Next the surgeon will remove the patient’s rectum. Lastly the surgeon will connect the patient’s small intestine to their anus so that they will be able continue having bowel movements from their bottom. This is known as an ileoanal anastomosis.[9] It is important to note that the surgeon preserves the patient’s anus and sphincter muscles in order to prevent fecal incontinence when the small intestine is connected to the anus.[10]
Possible complications
editAs previously stated, a proctocolectomy is a major surgery and with that comes the risk of complications. The major risks of the surgery include damage to nearby organs and nerves within the body, infection, scar tissue within the belly that can lead to small intestine blockage, poor absorption of nutrients and incisional hernias.[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Proctocolectomy | Baylor Medicine". www.bcm.edu. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ "Consulting General Surgery vs. Colorectal Surgery for Hospitalized Severe IBD". Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ Pappou, Emmanouil P.; Kiran, Ravi P. (June 2016). "The Failed J Pouch". Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery. 29 (2): 123–129. doi:10.1055/s-0036-1580724. ISSN 1531-0043. PMC 4882179. PMID 27247537.
- ^ a b c "Total proctocolectomy with ileostomy : MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia". medlineplus.gov. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
- ^ Holubar, Stefan D.; Lightner, Amy L.; Poylin, Vitaliy; Vogel, Jon D.; Gaertner, Wolfgang; Davis, Bradley; Davis, Kurt G.; Mahadevan, Uma; Shah, Samir A.; Kane, Sunanda V.; Steele, Scott R.; Paquette, Ian M.; Feingold, Daniel L.; Surgeons, Prepared on behalf of the Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee of the American Society of Colon and Rectal (July 2021). "The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Surgical Management of Ulcerative Colitis". Diseases of the Colon & Rectum. 64 (7): 783–804. doi:10.1097/DCR.0000000000002037. ISSN 0012-3706. PMID 33853087.
- ^ Bohl, Jaime L.; Sobba, Kathryn (December 2015). "Indications and Options for Surgery in Ulcerative Colitis". The Surgical Clinics of North America. 95 (6): 1211–1232, vi. doi:10.1016/j.suc.2015.07.003. ISSN 1558-3171. PMID 26596923.
- ^ Amiot, Aurélien; Gornet, Jean-Marc; Baudry, Clotilde; Munoz-Bongrand, Nicolas; Auger, Martine; Simon, Marion; Allez, Matthieu; Cattan, Pierre; Sarfati, Emile; Lémann, Marc (September 2011). "Crohn's disease recurrence after total proctocolectomy with definitive ileostomy". Digestive and Liver Disease. 43 (9): 698–702. doi:10.1016/j.dld.2011.02.017. ISSN 1878-3562. PMID 21474398.
- ^ Half, Elizabeth; Bercovich, Dani; Rozen, Paul (2009-10-12). "Familial adenomatous polyposis". Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases. 4: 22. doi:10.1186/1750-1172-4-22. ISSN 1750-1172. PMC 2772987. PMID 19822006.
- ^ a b Jani, Kalpesh; Shah, Amit (2015). "Laparoscopic total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis". Journal of Minimal Access Surgery. 11 (3): 177–183. doi:10.4103/0972-9941.140212. ISSN 0972-9941. PMC 4499922. PMID 26195875.
- ^ Kobakov, Georgi; Kostov, Daniel; Temelkov, Temelko (December 2006). "Manometric study in ulcerative colitis patients with modified ileal pouch--anal anastomosis". International Journal of Colorectal Disease. 21 (8): 767–773. doi:10.1007/s00384-006-0108-7. ISSN 0179-1958. PMID 16583195. S2CID 30631817.
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