Abstract
Background
Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) are at increased risk of postoperative infectious complications (PIC). There are few studies and conflicting data regarding the risk factors involved in these patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of infectious complications and postoperative mortality in patients with IBD who underwent intestinal surgery, as well as describe the characteristics of our population and identify possible risk factors.
Methods
Retrospective study on patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC)) treated in “Virgen de las Nieves” University Hospital between January 2019 and December 2020. Patients who underwent small bowel or colorectal surgery were included. Information regarding demographic and clinical data, procedures, treatments and surgical outcomes were collected. Clinical outcomes documented were postoperative infectious complications and in-hospital mortality. Descriptive inferential were carried out.
Results
36 patients were included (47.2% male, median age 44.9 years). All the characteristics of our sample are detailed in Figures 1 and 2. Regarding surgical outcomes, 7 patients developed PIC (6 surgical site infection (SSI) and 1 multiple infections including pneumonia, candidemia and SSI). The features of these patients are detailed in Figures 3 and 4.
Conclusion
Postoperative infectious complications after intestinal surgery are an important cause of morbi-mortality in CD and UC patients. Identifying risk factors early, could help reduce the incidence of these complications.
Seven patients (19,4%) in our sample developed PIC, mostly SSI. All of them diagnosed of CD, which explains the greater need of surgery in them compared to patients with UC. These patients had more severe disease: penetrating pattern (B3 according to Montreal Classification) and ileocolonic location (L3). Most patients were receiving immunosuppressive treatments by the time of surgery, especially biological treatments. The median time of evolution of the disease was high, describing a profile of disease more advanced.
Our efforts should be determined to early prevention and treatment of modifiable risk factors during the perioperative period. In order to achieve this aim, further research is needed, with prospective, multicenter and wider population studies, trying to control any confusion factors. Finally, we would like to highlight the need of studies analyzing UC population, as most of them focus on patients with CD.
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