The side-to-side isoperistaltic strictureplasty, also now known as the Michelassi stricureplasty, was designed to avoid sacrificing large amounts of small bowel in case of long segments of stricturing Crohn's disease. In this strictureplasty the long loop of the bowel affected by Crohn's disease is first divided at its midpoint. The two halves are then moved side to side. A very long opening is created between two loops, which are then sutured together.