Colectomy for ulcerative colitis (UC) is common despite therapeutic advances. Post-operative morbidity and mortality demonstrate an association between hospital volumes and outcomes. This single-centre retrospective study examines outcomes after emergency colectomy for UC.

Patient demographics, perioperative variables and outcomes were collected in Beaumont Hospital between 2010 and 2023. Univariant analysis was used to assess relationships between perioperative variables and morbidity and length of stay (LOS).

A total of 115 patients underwent total abdominal colectomy with end ileostomy for UC, 8.7 (±3.8) per annum. Indications were refractory acute severe colitis (88.7%), toxic megacolon (6.1%), perforation (4.3%), or obstruction (0.9%). Over 80% of cases were performed laparoscopically. Pre-operative steroid (93%) and biologic (77.4%) use was common. Median post-operative LOS was 8 days (interquartile range 6–12). There were no 30-day mortalities, and 30-day post-operative morbidity was 38.3%. There was no association between time to colectomy (P = 0.85) or biologic use (P = 0.24) and morbidity. Increasing age was associated with prolonged LOS (P = 0.01). Laparoscopic approach (7 vs. 12 days P =0.01, 36.8% vs. 45% P = 0.66) was associated with reduced LOS and morbidity.

This study highlights contemporary outcomes after emergency colectomy for UC at a specialist high-volume, tertiary referral centre, and superior outcomes after laparoscopic surgery in the biologic era.