Resection Surgery for Crohn's Disease

A resection is a type of abdominal surgery that is commonly used to treat patients with Crohn’s disease (CD). In this type of surgery, a portion of the large or small intestine is removed, and the two healthy ends are reattached.

Why is a resection done?

Resection surgery may be used to remove strictures, either one long stricture or a group of strictures that are close to one another, or it may be used to remove severely diseased portions of the small or large intestine. The goal of the surgery is to keep as much of the healthy bowel as possible. In particular, removing long segments of the small intestine is avoided because it can lead to nutritional deficiencies.

Partial resection of the colon is not typically used to treat ulcerative colitis, as the disease tends to return in the section of the colon that is left. A total colectomy, with or without the creation of an internal pouch, is the surgery most often used to treat ulcerative colitis.

How is a resection done?

During a resection, general anesthetic is used. The surgery may be done either through open surgery or laparoscopic surgery, but open surgery is far more common. Laparoscopic surgery is typically used only in cases where the diseased section of intestine is located in the ileum, and there are no other complications.

In open surgery, one large incision will be made. The diseased section of the bowel is clamped off and removed. After the diseased portion of the intestine is removed, the two healthy ends are attached together (called anastomosis).

In laparoscopic surgery, 3 to 4 small incisions are used. The abdomen is filled with gas so the surgeon can better see the abdominal cavity and a camera is inserted through one of the incisions.

How long is recovery?

The hospital stay for open surgery can be anywhere from 5 to 10 days. For laparoscopic surgery, the hospital stay tends to be shorter.

Recovery from resection surgery can take from 6 to 8 weeks. Returning to work after surgery is a very individual decision, but it generally will be 4 weeks or more after the surgery. Your surgeon will advise you of what activities you can undertake, but in general, heavy lifting, driving, and other strenuous activities should not be undertaken for several weeks after surgery.

Are there any potential complications?

Potential complications include those that can occur with any surgery: infection, bleeding, or reaction to the anesthetic. With a resection, there is also a risk that the two sections of joined intestine may split apart or leak (called dehiscence).