Fulminant amoebic colitis: the role of surgery and the operative approach

Abstract

Fulminant amoebic colitis is rare and has a high mortality. The role of surgery in the management of this condition is examined using examples from two cases presenting one year apart at Ngwelezane Hospital in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Both patients presented in an extremely unwell state with distended, peritonitic abdomens. Evidence from these cases confirms findings from others in the literature that the best management for fulminant amoebic colitis associated with extensive involvement, multiple perforations and gross contamination is total or subtotal colectomy and exteriorization of proximal bowel with or without mucous fistula.