[Syndrome shift following resection of a pathologic intestine and construction of an anus praeter: a comparison of ulcerative colitis, Crohn disease, rectal cancer and familial polyposis].

Postoperative changes of symptoms were studied in 347 patients with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, carcinoma of the rectum, and familial polyposis. A semi-standardised psychosocial questionnaire and a list of complaints, according to v. Zerssen, were used as tools of investigation. The incidence of postoperative disease in patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, within the first year from surgery, was higher with significance than that recorded from carcinoma and polyposis patients within the same period of time. Problems relating to identification of syndrome shift are discussed in some detail. The need is stressed for postoperative psychosomatic attention to the patients concerned.