Temporary loop ileostomy in the treatment of Crohn's disease

The use of a temporary loop ileostomy for fecal diversion in 15 patients with Crohn's disease is discussed. The indications for the use of ileostomy included both emergency and non-emergency situations. Emergency indications included cases of acute peritonitis secondary to perforated bowel or abscesses, and intestinal obstruction. In non-emergency settings ileostomy was used either in conjunction with other surgery that was thought to have a significant risk of anastomotic leakage or to prepare a patient for major resectional surgery. It was the impression of the author's that temporary loop ileostomy was a helpful adjunct in the management of certain difficult cases of Crohn's ileocolitis.