Colonic disease site and perioperative complications predict need for later intestinal interventions following intestinal resection in pediatric Crohn's disease

IntroductionWe studied variables associated with outcomes following intestinal resection for Crohn's disease.MethodsA retrospective review of a prospectively maintained single surgeon database was performed. Outcomes evaluated included disease recurrence, need for further resection/dilatation, and complications. Explanatory variables included: anatomical region of resection, open or laparoscopic approach, surgical procedure, technique of anastomosis, number of anastomoses, use of biological therapy, resection margin disease, age at resection, and period (quartile) in series.Results81 children had 100 resections at a median age 14.5 years with a median follow-up of 7.7 years. Overall complication rate was 22%. Of the 77 children with no prior resection, 40 (52%) had disease recurrence, and 24 (31%) underwent further resection or dilatation. None of the explanatory variables predicted complications. Disease recurrence was significantly associated with younger age at first resection but not duration of follow-up. The probability of further intestinal intervention was strongly associated with disease site and complications. Odds ratio for further surgery for colonic disease site compared to ileocecal disease site was 7 (95% CI 1.8–26; P = 0.004). Odds ratio for further intestinal resection following surgery where a complication had occurred compared to no complication was 3.4 (95% CI 1.1–10.3; P = 0.02. Both disease site and complication status also significantly affected the interval to further surgery.ConclusionsThe probability of requiring a second intestinal intervention for pediatric Crohn's disease is related to the disease site and the complication status.