POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS OF SURGERY FOR ULCERATIVE COLITIS

Infections can occur after any surgery, but with modern techniques, these are rare. The infections can be at the skin or the areas inside where the tissues are sewed of stapled together. At times, pus can collect into what's known as an abscess, where the infection stays in a single area. Infections and some abscesses can be treated successfully with antibiotics. When treatment with antibiotics doesn't work, additional surgery may be needed. 

Scar tissue from the surgery can create a blockage in the intestine. Then little or nothing can get through the intestine. This can occur right after surgery or months to years later. Symptoms can include

• Abdominal pain or cramps
• Swelling / bloating of the abdomen (belly)
• Nausea, vomiting 
• Unable to pass gas or bowel movements
• If a pouch is created during the procedures, the pouch can become infected, inflamed or irritable

An irritable pouch, like irritable bowel syndrome, occurs when a pouch squeezes and spasms. Procedures show no active disease or infection, but the symptoms can seem just like pouchitis. An irritable pouch can respond to diet (more fiber but less gassy foods), but sometimes requires medicine to lessen the spasms.