[Surgery of Crohn disease in the course of time--a retrospective analysis of 1,044 operations].

In 591 patients with Crohn's disease, 1044 operations were performed within 16 years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in treatment time, indication for surgery, surgical technique, and postoperative complications. There was a significant reduction in treatment time (in-patient), whereas the number of operations in general increased. The frequency of emergency operations has declined. The postoperative complication rate did not change, but there was a correlation between emergency operation and the complication rate. Surgery for perforating Crohn's disease, acute intestinal obstruction or intra-abdominal abscess also correlated with a significantly higher complication rate.