Surgery for children with Crohn's disease: indications, complications and outcome.

BACKGROUND: Outcome data for surgery in paediatric Crohn's disease are limited. We report 10 years' experience at a regional paediatric gastroenterology centre.

METHODS: Children undergoing surgery for Crohn's disease (January 2002-December 2012) were identified from an onsite patient register. Patients were followed until transition to adult services. Data were obtained from medical records and are expressed as median (range).

RESULTS: Sixty-nine children, aged 13.8 years (6.3-17.0) at diagnosis, were included. 42 were male (61%). Follow-up was 1.8 years (27 days-6 years). Surgery followed diagnosis by 9 months (0 days-7 years). 52 children (75%) received thiopurines and 5 (7%) anti-TNF (tumour necrosis factor) therapy preoperatively. 58 (84%) underwent intra-abdominal surgery (40 right hemicolectomy, 8 stoma formation, 2 subtotal colectomy, 2 small bowel resection, 6 other) and 10 (14%) underwent surgery for perianal disease. The commonest indications for intra-abdominal surgery were stricturing disease 35 (60%) and unresponsive luminal disease 13 (22%). There were 13 (22%) early, and 5 (8.6%) late, complications following intra-abdominal surgery. Nine children had disease relapse, five required further surgery. Height SD scores (SDS) did not increase between diagnosis; -0.5 (-3.4-2.1) and most recent follow up; -0.4 (-3.0-1.1). Body Mass Index (BMI) SDS increased from -1.0 (-6.3-1.5) to -0.3 (-3.3-2.0) (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Surgery was associated with a 22% early complication rate and a 15% risk of relapse. 21% of patients required a second unplanned intra-abdominal procedure. Surgical intervention was associated with an increase in BMI SDS, but not in height SDS.