The Influence of Preoperative Medications on Postoperative Complications in Patients After Intestinal Surgery for Crohn’s Disease

Abstract

Abstract Background Many patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) are treated with medications, including steroids, immunomodulators, and anti–tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNF-α) agents, at the time of surgery. This study evaluated the effects of these medications on postoperative complications in CD patients. Methods This retrospective study analyzed patients who underwent bowel resection for CD between January 2006 and December 2015. Postoperative complications were defined as a Clavien-Dindo classification of grade 2A or higher within the first 30 days after surgery. Results Of the 817 patients enrolled, 687 patients received bowel resection and anastomosis without stoma formation. Of 687 patients, 381 (55.5%) were being treated with preoperative medications at the time of surgery (medication group) and 306 (44.5%) were not (nonmedication group). The overall rate of postoperative complications was not different between the medication and nonmedication groups (23.4% vs 21.9%, P = 0.36). Preoperative treatments with immunomodulators plus anti-TNF-α agents (relative risk [RR], 2.314; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.126–4.753; P = 0.022) and treatment with immunomodulators plus steroids (RR, 2.536; 95% CI, 1.124–5.725; P = 0.025) were risk factors for infectious complications. Preoperative treatments with immunomodulators plus anti-TNF-α agents (RR, 2.731; 95% CI, 1.102–6.769; P = 0.03) and treatment with immunomodulators plus steroids (RR, 3.118; 95% CI, 1.169–8.320; P = 0.023) were significantly associated with increased risk of intra-abdominal sepsis. Conclusions Preoperative treatments with immunomodulators plus anti-TNF-α agents or steroids were risk factors for infectious complications, especially intra-abdominal sepsis in patients who underwent bowel resection and anastomosis.