Early postoperative mortality and morbidity and factors that might be of importance in this respect were studied in a series of consecutive patients resected for classical Crohn's disease (IPI) or mainly colonic disease (CPC). The operative mortality was comparatively low after surgery for both primary and recurrent disease (1.5 and 2.0% respectively). The complication rate was marked, particularly so after primary surgery for colonic disease. Weight loss, abnormally low serum albumin or TIBC referred to as nutritional markers, appeared to have no predictive value in determining patients at risk for postoperative complications. Steroid treatment prior to operation was not associated with increased postoperative complication rate. The important factor influencing postoperative complication rate was the occurrence of preoperative septic complications and surgery performed for urgency was associated with an increased complication rate only when associated with pre-existing septic complications. The observations would appear to speak in favour of surgery at an earlier stage in patients with Crohn's disease who do not respond to medical treatment.