For patients with Crohn’s Disease, two common surgeries are the ileal (small bowel only) resection and the ileocolic (small bowel and part of large bowel) resection. During these surgeries the portion of the bowel that is strictured or diseased is removed and the healthy ends are attached. These surgeries usually do not interfere with the reproductive organs and are unlikely to affect fertility. However, adhesions (scar tissue) can form from any surgery, and adhesions that block the fallopian tubes can lead to infertility.
For more information on IBD surgeries and fertility, please go to our IBD surgery and fertility resource page.