Podcast: Omar Faiz – Surgical Management of Ulcerative Colitis

To see our latest courses, or to donate to the St Mark's Hospital Foundation, please visit our channel description for details. Title: Surgical Management of Ulcerative Colitis Speaker: Omar Faiz Event: St Mark's Podcast Year: 2019 In this episode, Professor Omar Faiz, an expert in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and complex colorectal surgery, provides a clear and comprehensive overview of the surgical management of ulcerative colitis (UC). He begins by outlining the indications for surgery, emphasising that while most patients are managed medically, operative intervention becomes essential in cases of acute severe colitis, dysplasia or cancer, medically refractory disease, or steroid‑dependent relapse. Professor Faiz explains the three principal surgical pathways: subtotal colectomy with end ileostomy, restorative proctocolectomy with ileo‑anal pouch (IPAA), and proctocolectomy with permanent ileostomy. He discusses the rationale, advantages, and limitations of each, highlighting how patient factors, disease severity, and long‑term functional expectations shape decision‑making. A major focus of the episode is the management of acute severe ulcerative colitis, where timely escalation from medical therapy to surgery is critical. Professor Faiz outlines the role of multidisciplinary care, early surgical involvement, and the importance of avoiding delayed intervention, which increases morbidity. He also explores postoperative outcomes, including pouch function, complications such as pouchitis, and the long‑term quality‑of‑life considerations that guide patient counselling.