Resection for Crohn's disease: what to know

During surgery, the team removes the narrowed, scarred, perforated, or severely inflamed section and joins the healthy ends when this is safe. Sometimes a temporary or permanent stoma is needed so stool can leave through an opening in the abdomen. The exact approach depends on the bowel area involved, previous operations, nutrition, inflammation, and overall health.

Crohn's disease can return in another part of the digestive tract after surgery, so resection is one part of longer-term care. Abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weight change, or reduced appetite should be discussed with the treating team rather than managed alone.

Ask the surgical team which medicines to continue, how to prepare your bowel if required, and whether smoking, nutrition, or anaemia could affect recovery. Afterward, follow wound and stoma instructions, increase activity gradually, and attend follow-up appointments. Your gastroenterology team may use medicines to reduce renewed inflammation. A GP Consultation and Blood Test can help investigate new symptoms between specialist visits.

After surgery, seek urgent help for worsening abdominal pain, a swollen abdomen, repeated vomiting, fever, heavy bleeding, faintness, or a wound that becomes red and drains pus. If a stoma stops working with cramps or swelling, contact the surgical team urgently. Persistent diarrhoea or pain after recovery also needs review because it may reflect inflammation, infection, or another postoperative problem.

Ask why resection is being recommended, which bowel segment is involved, whether a stoma is possible, how medicines will change, and what symptoms should trigger urgent contact. Also ask how nutrition, exercise, and future monitoring will be managed.