Crohn’s disease

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What is Crohn’s disease?

Crohn’s disease is a chronic condition of the digestive tract, which causes inflammation along its entire length. Although it may occur along its entire length, it is most often found in the terminal ileum, the last part of the small intestine. Together with ulcerative colitis, it is one of the idiopathic inflammatory bowel diseases.

Epidemiological data

The disease can occur in patients of all age groups. However, it occurs most frequently in young patients between 18 and 35 years of age, with an average age of 29 years. The male and female sexes are affected in similar proportions.

What are the causes and predisposing factors of the disease?

The causes of the disease are not known. Although many theories have been put forward, the predominant theory is that the disease is caused by the body’s reaction to a virus or bacteria. This reaction is intense, which causes extensive inflammation. Thus, the cause has been defined as the body’s autoimmune reaction to an infection.

Although the cause is not clear, some factors have been implicated in the development of the disease. These factors are as follows:

Heredity
Smoking
High-fat diet
Fat-rich diets, high in fat, high in fat

What are the symptoms of Crohn’s disease?

Symptoms may appear gradually and gradually increase or increase in intensity or abruptly and are characterised by flares and remissions. In particular, the symptoms with which the disease appears are as follows:

Diarrhoea
Abdominal pain and cramps
Blood in the stool
Unexplained weight loss
Feeling of fatigue
Fever
Nausea
Loss of appetite

Sometimes the disease also shows extra-intestinal symptoms which are usually:

Pain in the joints
Painful pain in the joints
Redness and irritation of the eyes
Painful symptoms, pain in the eyes, pain in the mouth, pain in the throat, pain in the eyes, pain in the mouth
Fatty liver
Iritis
Corneal ulcers etc.

How is the diagnosis made?

Initially, a detailed personal and family history is taken and the symptoms are recorded. The patient undergoes blood and stool tests.

For the final diagnosis and determination of the severity of the condition, a colonoscopy should be performed. During the colonoscopy, a sample of the bowel is also taken and sent for histological examination (biopsy). In cases where the disease is found in the small intestine, then an MRI is performed.

What is the appropriate treatment?

Crohn’s disease cannot be cured, but the aim of treatment is to relieve the patient’s symptoms. It is a disease that needs treatment, as its complications can be life-threatening.

The symptoms in many cases are treated by the administration of specific medication. The medication administered is different during periods of exacerbation of the disease, while maintenance medication is taken by the patient continuously. Also, a balanced diet can help in the management of symptoms.

Surgery is a one-way street in cases where the disease has developed complications such as perforation or bowel obstruction. It may also be applied in cases of patients who do not get relief from conservative treatment.

Disease & Robotic Surgery

Robotic surgery can also treat inflammatory bowel diseases bloodlessly and without postoperative complications. The surgical method of choice is colectomy, which until recently was performed laparoscopically, removing the affected part of the intestine.

Robotic colectomy is the most advanced method of treating bowel and rectal diseases. It is a minimally invasive surgical method that allows the surgeon to operate with extreme precision.

The advantages of robotic colectomy are many and more specifically the robotic method ensures:

Fewer post-operative complications.
Fewer days of hospitalization.
Fewer incisions and excellent aesthetic results.
Immediate return to daily activities.
Less blood loss
Minimize chances of surgical wound infection.

Dr. Thalia Petropoulou is a Certified Specialist Consultant Lower Digestive Surgeon. She is the only holder of the International Robotic Colon Fellowship in Greece, and is fully trained in minimally invasive da Vinci surgical practices. Contact us to learn more about robotic surgery for the treatment of Crohn’s disease.