Surgical treatment of chronic amebic colitis

There are limited data concerning the surgical management of chronic amebic colitis (CAC) in the literature. We present our experience with 10 patients with CAC treated surgically. Patients' records were retrospectively analyzed for age, sex, duration of clinical manifestations, colonoscopic findings, the type of surgical operation, and the postoperative course. Total proctocolectomy and J-pouch construction was performed in two patients who had CAC with severe rectal involvement. Total colectomy and the Hartmann procedure was performed in eight patients with mild to moderate rectal involvement. This treatment was successful in preserving the rectum in four of the eight. Our results suggest that rectal preservation can be a reliable treatment option in patients with CAC who have mild to moderate rectal involvement. Total proctocolectomy and ileoanal anastomosis with pouch construction should be the treatment of choice for patients with CAC who have severe rectal involvement.