Pseudomembranous colitis treated with completely diverting ileostomy

A seriously ill patient with pseudomembranous colitis of obscure origin responsed promptly to a completely diverting ileostomy. The ileostomy was successfully closed three months later when the colon appeared to be normal. In an unusually severe case of pseudomembranous colitis, where operation is required and where pseudomembranous colitis is the sole operative finding, a completely diverting ileostomy should be considered rather than a more extensive procedure.