Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases are mainly represented by Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Current epidemiological data indicate a rise in incidence over the last five decades in the Western world. Consequently resulting not only in the reconsideration of the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases but furthermore emphasizing the need for a curative approach. With this review we aim to provide a concise overview on pathogenesis, diagnostics as well as therapy with a particular focus on medical strategies after ileocecal resection in Crohn's disease. In the end the near future with regard to therapeutic strategies to be introduced into daily clinical work will be described.
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.