title: Current challenges in the surgical management of Crohn's disease: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder, and the broad variability in phenotypic presentations makes the treatment of this disease a true multidisciplinary approach. We sought to review the current recommendations regarding the surgical management of Crohn's disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  A Systematic literature review of surgical techniques was performed from 1979 through 2015. We evaluated 30 articles focusing on findings over the past 5 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Crohn's is a complex disease with no surgical cure. Invasive techniques vary from strictureplasty to resection and percutaneous drainage of penetrating disease when indicated. There is a paucity of well-controlled randomized studies evaluating these surgical techniques, and therefore, we continue to rely on smaller studies and historical data. The surgical goals are to minimize postoperative complications while preserving intestinal length and slowing the progression to clinical recurrence. The evidence discussed is one strategy against this complex pathology.
authors.affiliation: Division of Colorectal Surgery, University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center, 67 Belmont Street, Suite 201, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Schlussel
authors.affiliation: Division of Colorectal Surgery, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Scott R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Steele
authors.affiliation: Division of Colorectal Surgery, University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center, 67 Belmont Street, Suite 201, Worcester, MA 01605, USA. Electronic address: Karim.Alavi@umassmemorial.org.
authors.forename: Karim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Alavi
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000601:surgery; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000601:surgery; D007422:Intestines / Q000601:surgery
keywords: Anastomosis; Crohn's disease; Resection; Strictureplasty; Surgery; Systematic review