Surgical treatment for Crohn's disease

Surgery has important role in the management for Crohn's disease, although medical treatment had been developed in recent years. Surgical indications are as follows, massive bleeding, perforation, cancer, abscess, stenosis with obstruction, internal and external fistulas, severe anorectal disease, and medical failure. The principle of surgery is a minimal resection of intestine responsible for uncontrolled symptoms and repair of involved organs such as intestine, urinary bladder and abdominal wall. Strictureplasties are an effective alternative for stenosis which preserve the intestine. Seton treatment is often employed for complex perianal fistula. Surgery relieves the refractory symptoms well and should be employed at optimal time for the patients with severe symptoms which impaired their quality of lives.