[Sphincter-preserving operations in cases of ulcerative colitis (author's transl)]

Eighteen cases of operated ulcerative colitis are described. In 15 cases ileorectal anastomosis was performed. In one case, the rectum had to be excised because of a massive rectal haemorrhage; in another case, the anastomosis had to be separated Hartmann's operation) because of a dehiscence of the anastomosis. A re-examination of 13 patients shows full continence in 12 cases; one patient was incontinent with regard to flatus. The Karnofsky Index shows 100 in 10 patients, and 90 in 3 patients. The sigmoidoscopy reveals normal rectal mucosa in 6 patients, a moderate colitis in 5 patients and a severe colitis in 2 patients. There are only two indications for rectal excision in our opinion: uncontrollable rectal haemorrhage and carcinoma (dysplasia).