title: The role of surgery in Crohn's disease: a retrospective analysis from a single hospital.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Traditionally, in Crohn's disease (CD), surgery has played an essential role in the treatment of complications. TNF-α-blockers have significantly improved results of conservative treatment but they do not definitely cure Crohn's disease.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our aim was to examine the prevalence of and indications for surgical procedures in CD in our hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective survey included all CD patients diagnosed in our hospital referral area during a 10-year period in 1996-2005.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Altogether 114 new patients with CD were diagnosed, 56 (49%) males, 58 (51%) fe-males. The median follow-up time was 5.0 years. In all, 31 (27%) patients underwent some sur-gical procedure, and of these, 12 (39%) underwent an emergency operation. The most common indication for surgery was bowel obstruction. The most frequent procedures were ileocolic re-section in 12 (39%) patients and small bowel resection in 10 (32%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Almost one-third of CD patients needed surgical therapy in an early phase of their disease, and more than one-third of these underwent an emergency procedure. Obstructive symptoms were the most common indication for surgery in the early phase of CD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterological Surgery and 2 Internal Medicine, Jyväskylä Central Hospital, Jyväskylä, Finland. markku.aarnio@ksshp.fi
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Aarnio
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Mecklin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Voutilainen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003082:Colectomy; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult