Ulcerative Colitis

This issue of Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery is dedicated to the medical and surgical treatment of ulcerative colitis. I have asked Drs. Udayakumar Navaneethan and Bo Shen to update us on the medical treatment of ulcerative colitis because the medical management of this disease has changed considerably. Dr. Hasan T. Kirat and I discuss the technical aspects of ileoanal pouch surgery, which is the procedure of choice for patients with ulcerative colitis who require surgery. Laparoscopic surgery for patients with ulcerative colitis has been increasingly performed; Dr. Luca Stocchi provides us with an overview of the use of this procedure in cases of ulcerative colitis. Dr. Bo Shen reviews the diagnosis and management of postoperative ileal pouch disorders. Drs. Andre da Luz Moreira and Ian C. Lavery cover ileorectal anastomosis and proctocolectomy with end ileostomy for ulcerative colitis to summarize the current indications for these procedures in the era of pouch surgery. Lastly, Dr. Scott Strong describes the management of acute colitis and toxic megacolon.

I would like to thank Dr. David E. Beck, Editor in Chief, for inviting me to serve as the guest editor for this issue. I also would like to thank all authors who have contributed their time and valuable expertise to this project. I hope the readers find this issue informative for their daily practice.