Postoperative recurrence of Crohn's disease: Impact of endoscopic monitoring and treatment step-up

Abstract

Aim Eighty per cent of patients with Crohn's disease require surgery, of whom 70% will require a further operation. Recurrence occurs at the anastomosis. Although often recommended, the impact of postoperative colonoscopy and treatment adjustment is unknown. Method Patients with a bowel resection over a 10-year period were reviewed and comparison made between those who did and did not have a postoperative colonoscopy within 1year of surgery, and those who did or did not have a step-up in drug therapy. Results Of 222 patients operated on, 136 (65 men, mean age 33years, mean disease duration 8years, median follow-up 4years) were studied. Of 70 patients with and 66 without postoperative colonos..