While medication and lifestyle changes are used to treat ulcerative colitis (UC), a person may need surgery if their symptoms cannot be managed by these first-line treatments.
A person may need to try more than one type of medication or other treatment to find what works well for them.
Their doctor may prescribe surgery if medication is not effective for managing inflammation. They may also prescribe surgery to remove colon cancer or abnormal cells known as dysplasia, which could potentially develop into cancer.
Other potential complications of UC, such as toxic megacolon or perforated colon, may also require surgery to treat.
This treatment guide explains the different types of surgical procedures available for UC.