克罗恩病是以慢性肠道炎性病变为主要表现的全身性疾病，病因尚未明确，可能与免疫功能紊乱有关，具有急性发作与缓解交替出现的特征。虽经研究，但至今尚无治愈的措施。克罗恩病可并发穿孔、肠梗阻、出血、局限性腹膜炎、脓肿以及癌变的可能，需进行外科手术处理（手术率可达70%~100%）。因此，外科医师特别是腹部外科医师需要对这一疾病有完整的认识，按照其特性进行必需的外科处理。

Recognition of the characteristics of Crohn's disease                 LI Jie-shou.  Research Institute of General Surgery, Nanjing General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command PLA, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing 210002, China
Abstract    The Crohn's disease is a systemic disease with the main characteristics of chronic intestinal inflammation. The pathogenesis is unclear and is thought to be related with the immunity changes. The whole course of disease is characterized by acute episode and recurrence. Although it has been extensively studied, there is no therapy that could cure it. When complicated with perforation, intestinal obstruction, hemorrhage, local peritonitis, abscess and carcinogenesis, it requires surgical interventions. Therefore, the surgeons, especially the general surgeons, should have a very clear recognition of the disease and make surgical interventions according to its characteristics.