[Recurrence of Crohn's disease after surgical treatment].

The probability of recurrence was determined in 58 patients after intestinal resection for Crohn's disease using the statistical method of death tables. Within the first 10 years after resection a recurrence must be expected in 84.1% of patients. In 41.6% of cases a second resection becomes necessary. Age, sex, and disease duration preoperatively had no influence on the recurrence. Curative treatment of Crohn's disease is not possible by surgery and the indication for operation should thus be limited primarily to life-threatening complications.