[Differentialdiagnosis and surgical treatment of the familial intestinal polyposis (author's transl)].

Between 1959 and 1974 we observed 18 patients with familial intestinal polyposis. 4 patients were from one family. Two brothers refused the operation and died 7 respectively 8 years after diagnosis had been made. The typical symptoms, the diagnostic procedure and the therapy are demonstrated. We prefer the proctocolectomy (eventually with the "Kock-Ileostoma"), because we observed a lot of recidivs after ileorectostomy. The prognosis of the familial intestinal polyposis is good, if the operation is performed early (also in cases of carcinomatosis). Only those patients died, who rejected the operation or were operated too late.