Surgery to Correct Crohn's Disease

Experts in the field of chronic disease estimate that nearly 75% of all those living with Crohn's Disease will require surgery at some point in time. Of those getting surgery, three quarters of them will undergo a second surgical procedure, as well. As with the treatment of Crohn's the surgeries are varied depending on the part of the gastrointestinal tract in the most distress.

Partial bowel resection is usually performed on the part of the intestine so damaged that a permanent blockage has developed. Surgeons generally remove the terminal ileum, the ileocecal valve as well as a small part of the large intestine during this procedure. Healthy portions of the small intestine are then attached to each other, unless there is inflammation present throughout the intestine. When this is the case, a temporary ostomy is created. An ostomy allows the intestinal content to drain into a collection bag anchored through the abdominal wall. The bowel is allowed to heal and then reattached at a later date. Even after the initial surgery, infection tends to return above the area of where the surgery was done. This means that more resections may become necessary.

Another procedure is called strictureplasty. This is a procedure that opens up small strictures or openings. Incisions are then made down the length of the opening and pulled together and sewn in order to shorten the intestine. This has the effect of widening what formerly was a narrowed area, when the narrowing was caused by the illness. Fistulas, which are openings between the intestine and other organs such as the bladder must be closed to prevent infection. Shutting off these eruptions prevents the intestine from draining into the wrong areas of the body. Infections resulting from this situation can be deadly and sometimes fatal, if not corrected.

Abscesses that do not respond to medicines, must be drained to make them heal. Usually a doctor will simple aspirate or prick the abscess. This is done by inserting a hollow needle into the abscess to withdraw the infectious fluid. A second way of handling them is to make an incision, exposing the abscess and removing the infection. A wick is then inserted before closure to promote drainage and healing.

Once surgery is complete then Crohn's sufferers are taught how to live with their disease. Living with a chronic illness requires constant management of a medication schedule, keeping appointments with doctors, all the while conserving mental and physical energy. Sufferers are also told to find a diet that works, get plenty of sleep and seek moderation in all other aspects of life. The stress involved in managing a chronic illness is doubled if you happen to be the care giver to the sufferer, because you not only have to watch over them, but take care of yourself simultaneously.

Crohn's Disease can affect anyone between the ages of 15 to 35, causing a mountain of stress in its wake. Living with Crohn's will cause adjustments in the lives of everyone in the house and with these adjustments may come misunderstandings and resentments on the part of the healthy. So it is important that all family members be kept in the loop of understanding in order to handle the day to day living with this so called incurable disease.