The vast majority of patients with Crohn’s disease receive standard medications after the diagnosis without considering early surgical treatment for localized disease.
OBJECTIVE
This single-center retrospective study’s objective is to evaluate the results of early ileocecal resection (ICR) in patients with localized Crohn’s disease compared to later surgery performed following protracted anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive medication therapy.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
85 patients with stricturing Crohn’s disease were subjected to a multivariate retrospective analysis. In 30 of them, ileocecal resection was done right away after the diagnosis without any prior medication (early ICR), whereas in 55 of them, surgery was done after receiving medical therapy. Patients in both groups were similar in terms of gender, age, and BMI. The need for medication after the operation, as well as the types and frequency of postoperative complications, were evaluated. A follow-up endoscopy was performed 3 and 6 months after the operation.
RESULTS
The number and frequency of postoperative complications did not vary between the groups. Both groups had a comparable rate of temporary stoma formation (13.3% vs. 10.9%, p=0.08). Differences were found in the number of patients requiring medical treatment (26.6% vs. 78.1%, p<0.001), time to start medical therapy following surgery (15 months vs. 2 months, p<0.001), and the frequency of therapy escalation (3.3% vs. 38.1%, p<0.001).
CONCLUSION
Early ileocecal resection decreases the requirement for medical therapy in a considerable number of cases and prolongs the time before Crohn’s disease relapses.