[Severe ulcerative colitis].

In a hospital material concerning 162 patients with ulcerative colitis, 20 patients (12.3%) had attacks of severe colitis. Nine of the patients with severe colitis went into remission on medical therapy and 11 were operated on by colectomy. It is concluded that no real progress has taken place in the treatment of severe attacks of ulcerative colitis in the last 15-20 years. We discuss possible prognostic factors. Active medical treatment and surveillance and early colectomy in this serious disease is still recommended.