[Recidivism of Crohn's diseases. Indication and therapeutic problems of reintervention]

The recurrence of Crohn's disease often presents problems in the indication for surgery. Reoperation is indicated in all recurrent complicated cases and in postoperative complication not specific for Crohn's disease. However relaparotomy should be performed only after conservative measures have proved unavoiding. In the Department of Surgery at the University Hospital in Mainz 153 patients with Crohn's diseases were treated over an 11-year-period. Of 310 patients operated for Crohn's disease 153 reoperations were performed in 73 patients. The aim of reoperation should be the prevention of further complications. In view of the individually differing courses of the disease no general guidelines can be laid down for the indications for laparotomy.