Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery, Table of Contents Clin Colon Rectal Surg 2020; 33(02): 087-091DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1701232 Review Article Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.Role of Surgery in Clostridium difficile Infection Authors Author Affiliations Aela Vely 1 Division of Acute Care Surgical Services, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia Paula Ferrada 1 Division of Acute Care Surgical Services, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia Recommend Article Abstract Buy Article(opens in new window) Abstract Clostridium (reclassified as “Clostridioides”) difficile infection (CDI) occurs as a chronic or an acute illness with intensity varying from mild to severe. Although most cases of CDI can be managed with antibiotics and supportive care, when the patient presents with fulminant disease, the early decision to perform surgery is imperative for survival. The current standard of care is the subtotal colectomy. However, loop ileostomy with vancomycin enemas delivered into the colonic mucosa has been described as a viable option on selected patients. Keywords Keywords Clostridium difficile infection - surgery for complicated Clostridium difficile infection subtotal colectomy - loop ileostomy for complicated Clostridium difficile infection Full Text References References 1 Khanna S, Pardi DS. The growing incidence and severity of Clostridium difficile infection in inpatient and outpatient settings. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2010; 4 (04) 409-416 2 Lessa FC, Mu Y, Bamberg WM. , et al. Burden of Clostridium difficile infection in the United States. N Engl J Med 2015; 372 (09) 825-834 3 Vindigni SM, Surawicz CM. C. difficile infection: changing epidemiology and management paradigms. Clin Transl Gastroenterol 2015; 6: e99 4 Rodemann JF, Dubberke ER, Reske KA, Seo DH, Stone CD. Incidence of Clostridium difficile infection in inflammatory bowel disease. 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