A new procedure for patients with severe Clostridium difficile colitis could allow them to have a higher chance of survival and preserve their colon.

Instead of a partial or total removal of the colon, Brian Zuckerbraun, M.D., and his colleagues at the University of Pittsburgh performed a minimally invasive temporary loop ilestomy with colonic lavage. A study of 42 patients supported his findings: The 30-day mortality was 19%, compared to the 50% rate for patients in a different study who had a subtotal colectomy. Zuckerbraun presented his findings at the annual meeting of the American Surgical Association.