[Indications for restorative proctocolectomy in systemic colorectal diseases (ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis coli)].

Restorative proctocolectomy is now the procedure of choice for patients suffering from ulcerative colitis (UC) and familial adenomatous polyposis coli (FAP). The majority of patients with UC require surgery for failure or development of side effects of medical therapy. Other indications include dysplasia, carcinoma and complications from either medical therapy or the disease, such as massive bleeding or perforation. In the adolescent patient, resection may be necessary owing to growth retardation. In patients with FAP the 100% risk of developing colorectal carcinoma can be avoided only by proctocolectomy. Crohn's colitis and carcinoma of the lower rectum represent absolute contraindications. A relative contraindication exists in indeterminate colitis, patients with poor sphincter function, mesenteric desmoids, obesity and an age above 65 years.