Results of Surgical Treatment of Crohn’s Disease

Abstract

SUMMARY
Purpose: The aim of this study was to elucidate the features,
indications, and surgical treatment in patients affected by
complications of Crohns disease.
Materials and methods: Between January 1986 and August
2002, 72 consecutive patients, (47 male, 25 female: mean
age 37 years), were operated on for 86 occurrences of
Crohns disease. Data were collected retrospectively.
Results: Indications for surgery included: failure of medical
management (n=32), obstruction (n=23), intestinal fistula
(n=11), mass (n=7), abdominal abscess (n=5), peritonitis
(n=1), development of cancer (n=1) and perianal sepsis
(n=4). Perioperative complications occurred in 24 out of
82 abdominal operations (29,2%), and resulted in one death.
Conclusions: Patterns of surgical treatment of Crohns
disease are changing, and more emphasis now being given
in more conservative operations. The presence of extensive
disease with fistulisation significantly increases the number
of perioperative complications and the probability of
postoperative recurrences.
Key words: Crohns disease, Inflammatory bowel disease,
Complications, Obstruction, Fistulas, Colitis, Ileitis,
Strictureplasty, Resection