What surgical procedure is considered curative for ulcerative colitis?

What surgical procedure is considered curative for ulcerative colitis?

• A. Colonoscopy with mucosal resection
• B. Long-term immunosuppressants
• C. Proctocolectomy
• D. Fecal transplant

Answer: (C)

Ulcerative colitis affects the lining of the colon and rectum, so removing that diseased tissue can fully eradicate the condition. Proctocolectomy—removal of both the colon and rectum—eliminates the mucosa that drives inflammation, effectively curing the intestinal disease. After this operation, patients typically have an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis or an ileostomy to maintain bowel continuity, but the UC process itself is resolved. Non-surgical or less extensive options don’t achieve a cure: long-term immunosuppressants help control symptoms and reduce flares but don’t remove the diseased tissue; procedures that remove only small areas or that target symptoms aren’t curative; and fecal transplant is not a proven cure for ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative colitis affects the lining of the colon and rectum, so removing that diseased tissue can fully eradicate the condition. Proctocolectomy—removal of both the colon and rectum—eliminates the mucosa that drives inflammation, effectively curing the intestinal disease. After this operation, patients typically have an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis or an ileostomy to maintain bowel continuity, but the UC process itself is resolved.

Non-surgical or less extensive options don’t achieve a cure: long-term immunosuppressants help control symptoms and reduce flares but don’t remove the diseased tissue; procedures that remove only small areas or that target symptoms aren’t curative; and fecal transplant is not a proven cure for ulcerative colitis.