Treatment Plan

The aim of treatment is to control the symptoms of Crohn's disease, correct nutritional deficiencies and prevent future attacks. Early in the course of Crohn's disease, the use of medications may be all that is necessary. However, many patients with Crohn's disease need surgery at some point to repair leakage in the digestive system or to remove a damaged section of intestine.

Medication may be enough to manage Crohn's disease that is confined to the inside surface (mucosa) and limited to a small portion of the intestine. A good response to medication will also help to relieve symptoms, such as diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Surgery is done in the following cases:

Obstruction. When the intestine is blocked because of the disease.

An infection caused by a fistula or abscess. In Crohn's disease, the inflammation can burrow its way through the wall of the intestine and create a fistula, which is an artificial connection or "tunnel," between two organs. The immune system may work to wall off an infection as an "abscess," which may still allow infection to spread. The abscess may need to be removed surgically. Sometimes a special radiologist can drain the abscess using a needle guided by a CT scan.

Intestinal bleeding due to Crohn's, if the bleeding doesn't respond to medication or if it is very severe.

A perforation in the intestine, which must be repaired surgically.

When the disease becomes so severe that medication can no longer control the symptoms.

If surgery is being considered, you will be admitted to the hospital and given antibiotics. In order to allow your digestive system to rest and heal itself, you will be given intravenous fluids and no food by mouth. Unless your situation requires immediate surgery, your doctor will watch you closely to see if symptoms are getting any better. If they do not, surgical repair or needle drainage is necessary.

This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.