Crohns disease is a condition that affects the digestive system including the mouth, large and small intestine, esophagus, and anus. There are four surgies commonly used to treat this disease:

● Partial Bowel Resection - removal of the diseased section of intestine
● Correction of Fistulas
● Draining of an Abscess
● Strictureplasty

 

Partial Bowel Resection - This surgery is used when a portion of the large intestine has become so diseased it creates an obstruction. In this surgery the areas being removed could include small portions of the large intestine, the terminal ileum or the ileocecal valve. In this surgery the healthy ends of the intestine are attached together. If there is any inflammation present the intestines cannot be attached and the doctor must insert a temporary ostomy. An ostomy allows the contents of the intestines to be drained from the body into a collection bag. After six to eight weeks the ostomy can be closed and the bowels reattached. In some occurences successive resections are necessary.

 

Correction of fistulas - A fistula is a connection or passageway connecting two organs or vessels that do not normally connect. In this surgery the fistulas that connect the intestine to another internal organ must be closed to prevent intestinal infections from entering into another organ.

Draining of an Abscess - Abscesses must be drained when they do not respond to medication. If they are not drained the abscess cannot heal. In one method a needle is inserted into the abscess and the infectious material is removed. Another method is to surgically remove the infection by opening up the abscess. The doctor will then place a tube for drainage.

Strictureplasty - A stricture or 'stenosis' is abnormal narrowing in a blood vessel or other tubular organ. In this procedure a stricture is opened up surgically. The incision is pulled together and sewn across the stricture. This shortens the small intestine a bit but also opens up a previously narrowed passage.