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Clin Colon Rectal Surg 2022; 35(01): 066-071
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1740030
Review Article

Acute Severe Colitis: The Need for Joint Management between Gastroenterologists and Surgeons

Phillip Fleshner
1   Division of Colorectal Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
,
Gil Y. Melmed
1   Division of Colorectal Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
› Author Affiliations Funding None.
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Abstract

The management of hospitalized patients with acute, severe ulcerative colitis involves close coordination among a multidisciplinary team. For patients not improving on intravenous corticosteroids, surgical consultation should be sought. The remaining hospital course requires frequent communications between the gastroenterologist managing the medical aspects of care, and the colorectal surgeon involved in planning for potential surgery, to optimize patient outcomes. This comanagement includes joint decision-making around the timing of surgery, minimizing medications associated with postoperative morbidity, addressing nutritional and psychosocial aspects of the patient's condition, and planning for a coordinated postoperative course. In this review, we highlight these aspects of care and the need for coordination and communication between gastroenterologists and surgeons in the management of acute severe colitis.

Keywords

acute - ulcerative colitis - colectomy - ostomy


Publication History

Article published online:
17 January 2022

© 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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