Bypass Compared with Resection for Ileal Crohn’s Disease

Abstract

Koudahl, G., Kristensen, M. & Lenz, K. Bypass compared with resection for ileal Crohn’s disease. Scand. J. Gastroent. 1974, 9, 203-206.

The postoperative course in 15 patients treated with bypass for Crohn’s disease localized to the terminal ileum or ileum + cecum is described. Resection had to be performed on a later occasion in 67 %, the indication being, in 60 %, abscess or fistula developed from the excluded bowel segment, and, in 40 %, extension of Crohn’s disease outside the excluded segment. The cumulative rate of re-operation was lower in a case material of 55 patients with Crohn’s disease treated by primary resection. Resection of the excluded segment reduced steatorrhea, while vitamin B₁₂ malabsorption was unchanged. It is concluded that resection should be preferred to bypass in the treatment of Crohn’s disease localized to the terminal ileum or ileocecal region.

Key-words::

• Bypass operation
• Crohn’s disease
• steatorrhea
• vitamin B₁₂ malabsorption