Alternatives to ileostomy after colectomy for inflammatory bowel disease.

Proctocolectomy and Brooke ileostomy have long been the standard surgical procedure for patients with refractory ulcerative colitis or colonic Crohn's disease. Ileorectal anastomosis, ileoanal anastomosis, the continent ileostomy, and the continent ostomy valve are now being used in selected patients as options to the Brooke ileostomy. The indications for and advantages of these procedures and their potential disadvantages and contraindications are discussed in this chapter.