[Recurrence of Crohn disease--a surgical and interdisciplinary problem].

Crohn's disease, an inflammatory illness of the large and the small intestine, has rising incidence in highly civilized populations. Its etiology is unknown; multifactorial causes are assumed. The outcome and the effect on the individual are cancer-like. Surgical therapy is only helpful as far as the complications of the disease are concerned. Resection of the affected parts of the intestine will not lead to restoration, as the recurrence rate shows.