During a 6 year period, 31 consecutive patients under the care of one surgeon had emergency colectomies for complicated colitis. A selective policy of closing the rectum intraperitoneally to minimize the length of retained diseased bowel and to avoid a mucus fistula was used during the study period. One patient underwent proctocolectomy, 7 subtotal colectomy with mucus fistula and 23 total colectomies with intraperitoneal closure of the rectum. Two patients (8.9%) developed pelvic sepsis. Both had intraperitoneal closure of the rectal stump and were readily managed by drainage into the stump. Subsequent surgery in the 18 patients having rectal excision has been uncomplicated. Intraperitoneal closure of the rectal stump in emergency surgery for complicated colitis can be performed safely in most of these patients.