Ileoanal Anastomosis for Ulcerative Colitis

This surgery is done to treat Reference ulcerative colitis Opens New Window. The doctor removes all of the Reference large intestine Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window (colon) and the diseased lining of the rectum. This surgery is also called an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA).

In an ileoanal procedure, the lining of the rectum is removed, and the lower end of the Reference small intestine Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window (the ileum) is attached to the opening of the anus. The surgeon makes a pouch from the ileum to hold fecal material (stool). The lower end of the pouch is attached to the anus. The muscles around the rectum are left in place. This allows for fairly normal bowel movements.

The ileoanal procedure cures ulcerative colitis by removing all the tissue that the disease could return to.

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