title: Decision-making in ileocecal Crohn's disease management: surgery versus pharmacotherapy.
abstract: Ileocecal Crohn's disease (CD) can be treated medically as well as surgically. Both treatment modalities have been improved markedly in the last two decades, making CD more manageable. However, multidisciplinary research, addressing issues such as timing of surgery or medical treatment versus surgery, is scarce. Particularly in limited ileocecal CD, ileocolic resection might be a good alternative to long-term medical therapy. This review discusses the evidence on medical and surgical treatment options for ileocecal CD. It provides an aid in decision-making by discussing a treatment algorithm that can be used until further evidence on treatment is available.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. e.j.eshuis@amc.uva.nl
authors.forename: Emma J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Eshuis
authors.forename: Pieter Cf
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Stokkers
authors.forename: Willem A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Bemelman
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D002432:Cecum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000601:surgery; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics / Q000601:surgery*; D003657:Decision Making; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000191:economics; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006801:Humans; D007082:Ileum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000601:surgery