Strictureplasty

Strictures are an abnormal narrowing of the passage of the small intestine that occur in active disease sites that can block the passing of digested food. In patients suffering from Crohn’s disease, strictures may form in the small intestine. Strictureplasty is a surgical procedure that widens the blocked areas without removing any sections of the small intestine. Surgeons pass a balloon attached to a catheter along the small intestine to check for blocked sites. Lengthwise incisions are made along strictured areas that are stitched up crosswise to widen the blocked passage. Strictureplasty is generally successful in the lower two sections of the small intestine (jejunum and ileum) of patients suffering from Crohn’s disease, but is not as useful in the first section of the small intestine (duodenum).