New Directions for Future Research:Surgical/Clinical

Abstract

In the management of inflammatory bowel disease the surgeon has one important weakness — he is dangerous. Although the surgeon has the ability to make the most dramatic curative or palliative moves in the overall management of the disease he should be aware that he can inflict the most harm to the patient; almost all deaths in inflammatory bowel disease can occur because of post-operative complications. The goal for the surgeon is to become less dangerous and his most important research endeavours should be directed towards this end.