Home  Crohn's disease Treatment Surgery
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Surgery - Emergency surgery will be needed in situations where the intestine tears (perforation), the intestine becomes blocked (obstruction) or where there is excessive bleeding.
- Surgery may be considered when an abscess or fistula forms, severe anal disease is present or where drug treatment does not adequately control the symptoms.
The treatment of Crohn’s disease with medicines may become less effective over time. It has been estimated that, within 10 years of diagnosis, 71% of sufferers will need some form of surgery to remove part of the affected gut. This is known as a resection.
Colectomy involves removal of the entire colon. The surgeon will then perform an ileostomy where the end of the small intestine is connected to an opening in the lower abdomen, called a stoma. Waste products then pass out through the stoma, where they are collected in a bag that can be emptied.
If following colectomy, the rectum muscle is not removed, a portion of the small intestine can be made into a pouch. The pouch is then attached to the anus. As the patient will have bowel control, a stoma bag will not be needed.
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During this surgery, a portion of the affected intestine is removed and the two remaining ends are joined together. This procedure may provide temporary relief, but the disease may spread into the remaining areas. Emergency surgery will be needed in situations where the intestine tears (perforation), the intestine becomes blocked (obstruction) or where there is excessive bleeding.
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