There are different kinds of surgeries used for treating IBD, or inflammatory bowel disease. Sometimes it does involve removing the anus and the rectum, and that’s called a proctectomy.
When both are removed, they usually offer a colectomy, and an ostomy is then done to help remove the stool. If you have UC of Crohn’s disease, usually ileostomy may differ between both of these where the small intestine is pulled through the abdomen towards the outer portion of the body, to make a stoma. Then, the ostomy pouch is worn to collect the stool, emptied a couple times a day.
What Proctectomy Surgery can do
Proctectomy surgery can help with rectal cancer, since it does remove this. It also may be done during J pouch surgery, which is done in those who have ulcerative colitis. For the people who get this, they leave the anus, and the last of the small intestine, making it a J and holds your stool just as how the rectum did.
When the anus also gets taken out, this part of the body is then surgically closed up. Some remark that it’s a “barbie butt” because it reminds them of what the doll’s bottom part looks, and there isn’t a structure there to get the stool out. Proctectomy is a huge surgery, and it s done with general aesthetic, and everything that involves it.
After the proctectomy and the removal of the anus especially in cases of IBD, they give you a permeant ileostomy. This can be hard for some patients to talk about, but it should be discussed.
If you have IBD, this can be lifesaving and improve the quality of life in some cases. Those who have IBD and the disease near the anus and rectum deal with lots of pain, different interventions and appointments to help with the fistulas and abscesses.
After you get proctectomy surgery, usually if you have complications you still feel better, and a better quality of life.
Why They’d Remove the Rectum
Those who have Crohn’s disease will get their rectum removed in abut 12-20% of instances. That’s because if the Chron’s disease is affecting the perianal area, it will be monitored and bettered through the removal of this.
Crohn’s disease also may cause fistulas and abscesses, and they can cause major pain and take forever to heal. In some instances, ileostomies for some time to avoid stool in the area and drains may help, but when they don’t fix the problem, you might need a proctectomy.
Those who have ulcerative colitis that don’t get a J pouch surgery or aren’t able to have surgery due to perianal problems, this is usually an option too. For a small minority with UC, there is a chance that the rectum might be inflamed, and this surgery may also be recommended since it’ll help you.
There is also the rare risk of rectal cancer that also may call for the removal of this area, also lowering the risk too.
What the Surgery entails
Usually, after it’s been decided, you’re put under general anesthesia and are at the hospital for a few days. They usually have pain management too, and you typically come home with an ileostomy too, and of course your nurse will help you understand how this happens.
You also will have stitches where the anus closes up and might need to be cleaned too.
Overall, this can save your life, and while it may seem like a very long, invasive surgery with a lot that’s going on, it can ultimately help improve the quality of life you have.
