Despite recent advances in the medical treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC), approximately 25-40% of patients will need surgery while the disease is still in effect. The aim of elective surgical treatment of UC is to remove the colon/and rectum with minimal postoperative morbidity, and to offer a good long-term quality of life. In this lecture, Dr. Barry Salky presents the current status of the laparoscopic approach to this pathology.