OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience with granulocyte apheresis to induce remission in patients with active Crohn's disease refractory to conventional treatment. We summarize the results previously obtained with this technique. CONCLUSIONS: Granulocyte apheresis is a safe and well tolerated therapeutic modality that can be a valid therapeutic alternative in the induction of remission in inflammatory bowel disease, although controlled clinical trials must be conducted to define long-term efficacy, as well as to establish "optimal patient" selection, re-treatment interval, and number of sessions.