What types of surgery are used for IBD?

There is no one IBD operation. The right one depends on which disease you have, how much of the bowel is affected, and whether it is planned or an emergency. Here are the main kinds in plain terms.

Removing a diseased section (resection)

The most limited option is to remove only the affected part of the bowel and join the healthy ends back together. Cleveland Clinic describes a hemicolectomy, which removes one side of the colon, as one example (Cleveland Clinic). A resection like this is common in Crohn's disease, where the goal is to deal with one diseased segment.

Removing the colon, or colon and rectum

In ulcerative colitis the colon itself is the problem, so more is removed. Cleveland Clinic explains that a total colectomy removes the entire colon and a proctocolectomy removes the colon and rectum (Cleveland Clinic). Crohn's & Colitis UK lists the common UC versions: a subtotal colectomy with an ileostomy, a panproctocolectomy with an ileostomy, or ileoanal pouch (J-pouch) surgery (Crohn's & Colitis UK).

What happens to the gut afterwards

After the bowel is removed, waste needs a new route. That may mean a stoma, such as a colostomy or ileostomy, which can be temporary or permanent, or in some cases a J-pouch made from the small bowel.

Keyhole or open

Most of these can be done in two ways. Cleveland Clinic notes the operation may use one long incision (open surgery) or several small incisions (laparoscopic or robotic surgery) (Cleveland Clinic). Keyhole surgery is used where possible because recovery is usually quicker.