WHY WOULD SOMEONE WITH CROHN'S DISEASE NEED SURGERY?

Times have changed—in the past, many, if not most, of those with Crohn's disease needed surgery at some point during their lifetime. But with better treatment and newer options, we are hopeful that far fewer people with Crohn's will need surgery in the future. 

But surgery may still be needed in certain cases:

• Intestinal narrowing, called a stricture, which creates a blockage  (drawing or picture) 
• Fistula, when the intestine forms a passageway to the skin, another loop of intestine or another organ (the bladder or vagina)
• Perforation, which is when the intestine leaks its contents into the abdomen
• Toxic megacolon, where the large intestine expands suddenly with risk of perforation  
• Anal fissure (a deep cut into the area where the rectum empties)
• Intestinal blockage from prior surgery
• When medical treatment fails
• If cancer develops or looks like it will

Is Surgery for Crohn's Disease Usually an Emergency?

Surgery can be carefully planned, most of the time. This allows time for someone to modify their diet and medicines in order to have the best results. There are rare instances, though, where surgery has to be performed immediately. Examples include perforation or a toxic megacolon. Emergency surgery may also be needed when there's a leak or severe complication of an operation that shows up while someone is recovering.

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