Short and long-term outcomes of surgery for inflammatory (uncomplicated) ileocecal Crohn's disease: Multicentric retrospective analysis of 211 patients

Patterns and predictors of postoperative complications and recurrence after ileocecal resection for Crohn's disease: a national multicenter longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

Crohn's disease (CD) negatively impacts quality of life, and a high percentage of patients will need surgery. Ileocecal resection (ICR) is the most common abdominal procedure performed in CD. Postoperative complications are frequent, and recurrence is common. The main objectives of this study were to analyze risk factors (RF) for anastomotic leakage (AL) and recurrence after ICR, as well as quality of life (QoL) in CD in a sample of the Spanish population.

METHODS

A prospective, multicenter, observational study was designed, including all types of hospitals in Spain from 2018 to 2021. Demographic and medical-surgical characteristics, postoperative complications, hospital types by annual ICR volume, and quality of life (IBDQ-9) up to 1 year follow-up (OYF) were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 386 ICRs were recorded. At 60 days, there were 134 (36.4%) complications, 46 (11.91%) of which were major. A total of 23 (5.9%) AL were registered, and RF were Montreal A3 [OR 14.2, 95% CI (2.70-126), p = 0.005], Montreal p [OR 7.29, 95% CI (1.14-44.4), p = 0.029], and intensified adalimumab treatment [3.8, 95% CI (1.2-13.1), p = 0.026]. Recurrences at OYF were 67 (19%), and RF were history of neoplasia [OR 7.14, p = 0.01], Montreal B3 [OR 2.12, p = 0.02], and minimally invasive surgery (MIS) [OR 2.63, p = 0.02]. The mean difference in IBDQ-9 from baseline to 60 days was +1.72 (n = 177, p < 0.001) and to OYF +2.12 (n = 140, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The AL rate was 5.9%. Montreal A3, perianal disease, and intensified adalimumab were associated with a higher rate of AL. The recurrence rate was 17.6% (OYF). Prior neoplasia, Montreal B3, and MIS were associated with higher risk of recurrence. ICR improves quality of life at 60 days and is maintained 1 year after surgery.

Durable remission after ileocolic resection for Crohn's disease is achievable in selected patients. Long-term results of a prospective multicentric cohort study of the GETAID Chirurgie

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Postoperative recurrence requiring medical treatment intensification or redo surgery is common after ileocolic resection (ICR) for Crohn's disease (CD). This study aimed to identify a subgroup of CD patients for whom ICR could achieve durable remission.

METHODS

This retrospective follow-up study analyzed 592 CD patients who underwent ICR (2013-2015) in a nationwide prospective cohort. Patients with >36 months follow-up were included. Primary outcome was durable remission, defined as the absence of endoscopic recurrence and/or medical treatment intensification. Uni- and multivariate analyses identified predictive factors for durable remission.

RESULTS

Among 268 included patients, 59% had B2 phenotype, 70% had a first ICR, and 66% had postoperative medical treatment. After a median follow-up of 85 (36-104) months, 52 patients (19%) experienced durable remission, of whom 24 (46%) didn't require medical treatment and 28 (54%) maintained the same postoperative treatment, including anti-tumor necrosis factor in 15/28 patients (54%). Surgery could stabilize the disease course in 112 patients (41.7%), including 22.4% endoscopic recurrence that didn't require CD treatment initiation or intensification. Durable remission rate was significantly increased in B1 phenotype vs B2/B3 (n = 7/18;39% vs n = 45/250;18%, P = .030) and in first ICR vs redo ICR (n = 43/184;23% vs n = 9/80;11%, P = .023). In multivariate analysis, B1 phenotype was the only independent predictive factor for durable remission (odds ratio = 3.59, IC 95%, 1.13-11.37, P = .030).

CONCLUSIONS

Surgery for CD achieved durable remission in 20%, rising to 40% in those with a B1 phenotype. These results support surgery as a viable alternative to medical treatment, offering treatment-free durable remission and preserving medical treatment options.