ileoanal anastomosis

ileoanal anastomosis /il′ē·ō·ā″nəl/ , a surgical procedure in which the colon and rectum are removed but the anus and anal sphincter are left intact. An anastomosis is formed between the lower end of the small intestine and the anus. The operation is an alternative to proctocolectomy for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

Ileoanal anastomosis (Monahan et al, 2007)