Among the considerations in making the decision for proctocolectomy in ulcerative colitis is the hazard of ileostomy. Since our current techniques for constructing an ileostomy were developed less than 20 years ago, the long-term risks associated with a permanent ileal stoma cannot yet be assessed. Nevertheless, periodic follow-up information on ileostomy patients is of value when operation is being considered for a patient with chronic ulcerative colitis. In this report attention has been focused on the frequency and type of ileostomy complications which require a corrective operation. Material The case histories of all patients who had a permanent ileostomy established during the 20-year period ending Dec 31, 1967, were reviewed. Patients in whom the ileal stoma was constructed because of chronic ulcerative colitis were selected for study. Cases in which the ileal stoma was made because of granulomatous colitis were excluded. Using these criteria a total of 88 cases were