[Toxic colitis from the viewpoint of the surgeon]

The submitted review deals with the diagnosis and treatment of severe forms of toxic colitis from the gastroenterological and surgical aspect. The author emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis of the disease and early onset of conservative treatment which, however, should not exceed 72 hours without obvious improvement of the patient's condition. For surgical intervention the method of choice is subtotal colectomy with ileostomy and a mucous fistula of the rectosigmoid. In cases of early intervention the lethality is less than 10%; when the operation is late (frequently with complications) it is 30% or more. Better information of medical professionals on the disease is desirable.