Therapeutic strategies for stricturing Crohn’s disease in childhood: a systematic review

Purpose Childhood stricturing Crohn’s disease (CD) has significant morbidity. Interventions including resection, stricturoplasty and endoscopic balloon dilatation (EBD) are often required. Optimal intervention modality and timing, and use of adjuvant medical therapies, remains unclear. We aim to review the therapies used in paediatric stricturing CD. Methods A systematic review in accordance with PRISMA was performed (PROSPERO: CRD42020164464). Demographics, stricture features, interventions and outcomes were extracted. Results Fourteen studies were selected, including 177 patients (183 strictures). Strictures presented at 40.6 months (range 14–108) following CD diagnosis. Medical therapy was used in 142 patients for an average of 20.4 months (2–36), with a complete response in 11 (8%). Interventions were undertaken in 138 patients: 53 (38%) resections, 39 (28%) stricturoplasties, and 17 (12%) EBD. Complications occurred in 11% of resections, versus 15% stricturoplasties, versus 6% EBD (p = 0.223). At a median follow-up of 1.9 years (interquartile range 1.2–2.4) pooled stricture recurrence was 22%. Resection had 9% recurrence, versus 38% stricturoplasty, versus 47% EBD (p < 0.001). Conclusions Resection is associated with a low incidence of recurrence and complications. There remains a paucity of evidence regarding adjuvant medical therapy and the role of EBD. We propose a minimum reported dataset for interventions in paediatric stricturing CD.