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eye or joint problems, their ulcerative colitis goes away when we remove the colon.” For certain patients, surgeons may create an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) which takes the place of the rectum as an internal reservoir. The surgery can reduce a patient’s number of bathroom visits from 20 or more a day to just 5 or 6, which can have a dramatic impact on quality of life. The creation of an IPAA can often be done laparoscopically, resulting in fewer adhesions. Dr. Stein and her colleagues are currently involved in a study to determine if reduced scarring can lessen the surgery’s negative impact on fertility. Surgical treatment of Crohn’s disease may not be as straightforward. Because Crohn’s tends to recur in multiple places throughout the gastrointestinal tract, surgery is never a cure. In fact, about half of people who have surgery for Crohn’s will need a second surgery. About 70 percent of people who have a second Crohn’s operation will also need a third. “Once you go into that surgical pathway, you increase the chances that you’re going to need surgery again,” says Dr. Stein. “So for Crohn’s patients, our goal is to take out as little intestine as we can to take care of the problem. Some studies indicate that if we can save the intestine and repair the stricture without removing it, that portion of the GI tract is more likely to return to normal.” IBD Care With a ‘Woman’s Touch’ Although IBD affects young men and women in equa l numbers, there are special considerations for women, particularly since many female IBD patients are of childbearing age. For example, IBD surgery can result in sca r r ing which can have a ne g a t i v e impa c t on f er t i l i t y. There are other sensitive issues, as well, related to sexual function, beauty and hygiene which is why some female pat ient s prefer to work with female doctors. At UH there are six female IBD specialists. In addi t ion to Dr. Stein and Dr. Awais are, Dr. Hazel Veloso, Dr. Sapna Thomas, Dr. Judy Splawski, Mary Yursky, CNP, is part of the specialized IBD team at the UH Digestive Health Institute Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center. who is a pediatric gastroenterologist, and Mary Yursky, CNP. “Historically, both colorectal surgeons and gastroenterologists have been mostly men,” says Dr. Awais. “There are many groups out there where all the physicians are men. So we are glad to offer an alternative. I do have a number of patients who come to me particularly because they searched online to find a female physician.” “We are continuing to build the divi- sion so that people have good options,” adds Dr. Stein, who is also sought after by female patients. “It is so important for people to have someone they feel com- fortable talking to. Having a woman’s perspective on things like sex or fertility issues can be very helpful, so we offer a unique opportunity here.” IBD services are available at 18 UH Digestive Health Institute locations through- out Northeast Ohio. Appointments can be scheduled within 24 hours when needed. For more information or to refer a patient, call 1-866-UH4-CARE (1-866-844-2273) or visit UHhospitals.org/digestive. n MDNEWS.COM JULY-AUGUST 2011 MD NEWS Cleveland-Akron-Canton | 17 PHOTO © JOE SMITHBERGER, SMITHBERGER PHOTOGRAPHY, NORTH CANTON