Early versus delayed ileocolic resection for complicated Crohn's disease: is "cooling off" necessary?

Long-term outcomes of intestinal penetrating Crohn's disease following successful nonoperative management

There is a paucity of data on the surgical or medical treatment for abscess/fistula complicating Crohn's disease after successful nonsurgical management. We conducted a cohort study to investigate the long-term outcomes and the risk factors for the requirement of subsequent surgical intervention in Crohn's disease patients with complicating fistulas/abscess following successful nonsurgical management. Data were collected on penetrating Crohn's disease experiencing successful nonsurgical treatment between December 2012 and December 2021. Long-term outcomes and risk factors of surgery were assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis, and subgroup analysis was performed based on penetrating phenotype including abscess, fistula, and phlegmon. A total of 523 penetrating Crohn's disease patients; there were 390, 125, and 60 patients complicated with fistulas, abscess, and phlegmon, respectively. Long-term outcomes showed that BMI < 18.5 (kg/m 2 ), the recurrent abscess, and stricture were independent risk factors of surgery. Biologics and resolution of abscess were independent protective factors of surgery. Furthermore, in 399 patients undergoing early surgery, stricture and BMI < 18.5 (kg/m 2 ) were independent risk factors, and biologics and abscess resolution were protective of the early surgery. Subgroup analysis based on fistula, abscess, and phlegmon phenotype also demonstrated that concomitant stricture was an independent risk factor and the use of biologics was protective of surgical resection. Our data indicate that biologics can delay the requirement of surgery and may be given to patients with penetrating complicating Crohn's disease who have been successfully treated nonoperatively, but surgical resection should be considered in the setting of malnutrition and stenosis formation.

ECCO Guidelines on Therapeutics in Crohn's Disease: Surgical Treatment

This article is the second in a series of two publications on the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation [ECCO] evidence-based consensus on the management of Crohn's disease. The first article covers medical management; the present article addresses surgical management, including preoperative aspects and drug management before surgery. It also provides technical advice for a variety of common clinical situations. Both articles together represent the evidence-based recommendations of the ECCO for Crohn's disease and an update of prior ECCO guidelines.

Impact of total parenteral nutrition v. exclusive enteral nutrition on postoperative adverse outcomes in patients with penetrating Crohn's disease undergoing surgical resection: a retrospective cohort study

Achieving optimal nutritional status in patients with penetrating Crohn's disease is crucial in preparing for surgical resection. However, there is a dearth of literature comparing the efficacy of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) v. exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) in optimising postoperative outcomes. Hence, we conducted a case-matched study to assess the impact of preoperative EEN v. TPN on the incidence of postoperative adverse outcomes, encompassing overall postoperative morbidity and stoma formation, among penetrating Crohn's disease patients undergoing bowel surgery. From 1 December 2012 to 1 December 2021, a retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary centre to enrol consecutive patients with penetrating Crohn's disease who underwent surgical resection. Propensity score matching was utilised to compare the incidence of postoperative adverse outcomes. Furthermore, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the risk factors associated with adverse outcomes. The study included 510 patients meeting the criteria. Among them, 101 patients in the TPN group showed significant improvements in laboratory indicators at the time of surgery compared with pre-optimisation levels. After matching, TPN increased the occurrence of postoperative adverse outcomes (92·2 % v. 64·1 %, P = 0·001) when compared with the EEN group. In the multivariate analysis, TPN showed a significantly higher OR for adverse outcomes than EEN (OR = 4·241; 95 % CI 1·567-11·478; P = 0·004). The study revealed that penetrating Crohn's disease patients who were able to fulfil their nutritional requirements through EEN exhibited superior nutritional and surgical outcomes in comparison with those who received TPN.

A nomogram to predict stoma creation in elective surgical resection for penetrating Crohn's disease

BACKGROUNDS

The decision to perform a stoma during surgical resection of penetrating Crohn's disease (CD) is a critical consideration. The objective of this study was to identify factors that influence stoma creation and develop a predictive nomogram model to assist surgeons in making optimal surgical decisions.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary center from December 1, 2012, to December 1, 2021, involving consecutive patients with penetrating CD who underwent elective surgical resection. The LASSO regression method was used to select preoperative predictors, and a nomogram was constructed using multivariate logistic regression. The performance of the nomogram was validated in an internal cohort by assessing its discrimination, calibration, and clinical usefulness.

RESULTS

The study included 405 cases in the training group and 135 cases in the validation group. Nine risk factors for stoma formation were identified, including disease location, fistula resulted from previous anastomosis, absence of preoperative exclusive enteral nutrition support, albumin levels below 35 g/L, C-reactive protein levels above 10 mg/L, hemoglobin levels below 100 g/L, perianal disease, internal fistula, and surgical approach. These risk factors were selected using the LASSO regression method, and a nomogram was developed based on them. The area under the curve and the coefficient of determination (R2) of the nomogram were 0.821 and 0.394, respectively. And the nomogram demonstrated good performance in the validation cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

The nomogram exhibited good predictive ability for stoma formation during elective surgical resection for penetrating CD, which can assist surgeons in making informed clinical decisions.

Surgical management of complicated Crohn's disease

Surgical management of pediatric Crohn's disease is fundamentally palliative, aiming to treat the sequalae of complicated disease while preserving intestinal length. Multidisciplinary discussion of risk factors and quality of life should take place prior to operative intervention. Though the surgical management of pediatric Crohn's disease is largely based on the adult literature, there are considerations specific to the pediatric population - notably disease and treatment effects on growth and development. Intrabdominal abscess is approached with percutaneous drainage when feasible, reserving surgical intervention for the patient who is unstable or failing medical therapy. Pediatric patients with fibrostenotic disease should be considered for strictureplasty when possible, for maximum preservation of bowel length. Patients with medically refractory Crohn's proctocolitis should be treated initially with fecal diversion without proctocolectomy.

Surgery for Crohn’s disease: upfront or last resort?

Crohn’s disease (CD) can involve the entire gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus and can lead to a constellation of symptoms. With the advancement of effective medical treatments for CD, a tendency has emerged to consider surgical treatment as a last resort. This potentially has the disadvantage of delaying surgery and if it fails might leave patients sicker, less well nourished, and with more severe complications. As with most non-malignant diseases, the choice of surgery vs medical treatment is a patient’s personal preference under the guidance of the treating physician, except in extreme situations where surgery might be the only option. In this article, we will discuss the available evidence regarding the optimal timing of surgery in CD, focusing on whether early surgery can bring benefits in terms of disease control, symptom relief, and quality of life.