Having worked with Professor John Nicholls who with Sir Alan Parks described the pouch as a cure for Colitis, for Crohn's disease surgery has traditionally been best avoided.  However, the place of surgery in Crohn's is perhaps understated.  The role of abdominal surgery for Crohn's is discussed in the presentation below.  Taking great care of anal sphincter function in perianal Crohn's should always be the goal.