Potential roles of the mesentery in Crohn's disease

Abstract

The mesentery is the organ that supports development of all abdominal digestive organs in the foetus, and which supports and maintains all abdominal digestive organs in systemic continuity in the adult. Mesenteric abnormalities such as creeping fat are pathognomic of Crohn's disease and point to a pathobiological role for the mesentery. As part of the standard operative approach to resection, the mesentery is normally retained. Recent observations suggest that if the mesentery is included in the resections for ileocolic Crohn's disease, postoperative requirements for re-operation may be reduced. This is supported by emerging observations related to excision of the mesorectum during proctecto..