[Interdisciplinary guidelines: inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis)]

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are characterized by common problems and findings but also disease-specific differences. The most frequent indication for surgery concerns the refractory situation occurring both after and during systematic conservative treatment. The aim of surgery in patients with Crohn's disease is to induce remission of symptoms by removing the segment of diseased bowel. Because of the relatively high rate of postoperative recurrence, extensive resections should be avoided. Proctocolectomy with ileal pouch--anal anastomosis has become the surgical treatment of choice for most patients with uncontrolled ulcerative colitis. This technique offers these patients cure of the disease and in most cases a better quality of life.