New surgical technique to reduce Crohn's disease return after bowel surgery

This trial is testing a surgical technique called mesenteric excision and exclusion for people with Crohn's disease who need surgery on the terminal ileum (the end part of the small intestine). The approach combines two newer surgical methods—removing the tissue surrounding the affected bowel and reshaping the connection in a special way—both designed to reduce the chance that Crohn's disease will return after surgery.

Even with modern medicines, about half of people with Crohn's disease eventually need surgery, and the disease comes back in roughly 30% of cases within 10 years. This trial exists because early evidence suggests these newer surgical techniques might lower that recurrence rate by targeting the tissue that researchers believe plays a role in disease returning.