Clinical and surgical recurrence of Crohn's disease after ileocolonic resection in a specialist unit

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Postoperative clinical and endoscopic recurrence is common in Crohn's disease. AIM: We aimed to assess postoperative recurrence and management in a cross-sectional patient cohort in one specialist unit, before the introduction of a uniform postoperative preventive strategy. METHODS: Review of patients who had an ileocolonic resection for Crohn's disease between 2002 and 2005 in a secondary and tertiary care specialist centre. RESULTS: Ninety-nine patients (42 male; 57 female; mean age, 37 years) with a median disease duration of 10 years, were reviewed. Indications for surgery were obstruction (n=61), failed medical therapy (n=31) and internal fistula(e) (n=7). Thirty patients (3..