8 Place of laparoscopic surgery in Crohn's disease

Laparoscopic surgery for patients with Crohn's disease is feasible and safe. It may be conducted in appropriately selected patients including those with localized abscess, phlegmon, simple intra-abdominal fistulas, and perianastomotic recurrent disease. However, as the technique is just evolving and has yet to be shown to be of advantage over conventional open surgery, it should not be considered as a standard care. Randomized prospective clinical studies are needed to determine that laparoscopic surgery for Crohn's disease is at least equivalent or better than conventional open surgery.