Treatment of severe hemorrhage from a defunctionalized rectum with adrenaline chloride in ulcerative colitis.

Abstract

Three patients suffering from ulcerative colitis, who had previously undergone a colectomy and temporary Brooke ileostomy and who were under treatment with methylprednisolone and 5-aminosalicylic acid per the rectum, were readmitted to the hospital, presenting with profuse rectal hemorrhage with six to nine blood losses per day. An adrenaline chloride solution washout of the rectum was given in an attempt to avoid surgery. In the two to six hours after treatment, hemorrhage was considerably reduced, the hemoglobin levels were stationary, and no further transfusions were necessary.