[Surgical treatment results in Crohn disease]

Between 1957 and 1978 122 patients with Crohn's disease were operated in the Surgical Department of the University of Tübingen. Follow-up examination showed a high recurrence of nearly 45%. 13 patients died during this time. A change of primary localisation from small intestine to colon was found. Surgery took place when drug therapy failed or complications like perforation, ileus or fistulae made it necessary. Resection must be radical. Immediate section for microscopic examination under surgery is seen as a possibility to reduce the relapse rate and avoid a more extensive intestinal resection. No malignant degeneration was noticed.