Assessment of complications following strictureplasty for small bowel Crohn's Disease.

BACKGROUND

Surgical intervention is required in a significant proportion of patients with small bowel Crohn's disease (CD). Strictureplasty is an effective bowel-sparing alternative to resection.

AIM: The aim of this study is to assess the primary complications of small bowel strictureplasty for CD (bleeding and leakage). Other postoperative complications encountered, postoperative duration of hospital stay, 30-day mortality, and the incidence of reoperative surgery are also discussed.

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients undergoing small bowel strictureplasty at The Royal Hospital between 1992 and 2007 was conducted. Twenty-seven patients underwent 34 laparotomies and 100 strictureplasties.

RESULTS

There was no procedure-specific morbidity and mortality. Other common complications encountered were ileus (3/34) and surgical site infection (3/34).

CONCLUSION

Most of the patients in this study have recurrent diffuse intestinal CD requiring synchronous bowel resection. Strictureplasty is a safe and effective bowel-sparing surgical option in this group of patients.