Surgical Emergencies in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients are at risk for undergoing emergency surgery for fulminant disease, toxic megacolon, bowel perforation, intestinal obstruction, or uncontrolled gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Unfortunately, medical advancements have failed to significantly decrease rates of emergency surgery for IBD. It is therefore important for all acute care and colorectal surgeons to understand the unique considerations owed to this often-challenging patient population.

Keywords: Crohn's disease; IBD; Inflammatory bowel disease; Surgical emergency; Toxic megacolon; Ulcerative colitis.