Jejunoileitis

Patients with jejunoileitis comprise about 40% of the population with Crohn’s disease. Resection is indicated for those with intestinal obstruction, fistula, and abscess. Patients with extensive disease and symptoms of obstruction may benefit from strictureplasty in order to avoid multiple resections of long segments of intestine, which may produce short bowel syndrome. The results of strictureplasty are equivalent to those of intestinal resection as far as potential for recurrence of symptoms. Very rarely the cause of the problem may be a small bowel adenocarcinoma. These tumors may be difficult to identify and biopsy of the stricture should be sent routinely for histologic examination. All patients with jejunoileitis requiring surgery are given prophylactic medication following surgery in order to suppress the recurrence potential of Crohn’s disease.