[Clinical aspects of Crohn's disease. Report of experience at the Munich surgical university hospital 1954-1974].

Crohn's regional ileitis, which is differentiated into acute, chronic uncomplicated and chronic complicated forms, is seen to have a high complication rate in the long run. It is the fistulae to sections of the intestine which are not primarily diseased, the fistulae to the bladder, vagina and retroperitoneal space, fistulae opening on the abdominal wall and perianal fistulae which make the primary condition a serious disease. In the chronic stage, an adequate resection of the intestine in good time can lead to healing. Detour anastomoses which leave behind the affected section of the intestine gives poor results.