Risk Factors for Postoperative Intra-abdominal Septic Complications after Bowel Resection in Patients with Crohn’s Disease

Abstract

Postoperative intra-abdominal septic complications are a serious concern with regard to postoperative morbidity and mortality in Crohn's disease. The aim of this study was to identify the clinical variables that potentially impact the risk of intra-abdominal septic complications in patients with Crohn's disease, as well al analyze the short-term prognosis in patients with postoperative intra-abdominal septic complications. This study is a retrospective review with the use of hospital medical records. This investigation was conducted at a single-institution, tertiary referral center in Tokyo, Japan. We reviewed 550 patients that had undergone 728 intestinal anastomoses during 633 operations for primary or recurrent Crohn's disease between January 2005 and December 2010. Postoperative intra-abdominal septic complications were defined as anastomotic leakage or intra-abdominal abscesses occurring within 1 month after surgery. Twenty-four clinical variables were evaluated as potential risk factors for postoperative intra-abdominal septic complications. These factors were analyzed by use of univariate and multivariate methods. Postoperative intra-abdominal septic complications occurred in 17 cases (2.7%), with no fatalities. Of the 17 patients, 13 had anastomotic leakage and 4 had intra-abdominal abscesses. In the univariate and multivariate analyses, penetrating type (p = 0.014), operation time >180 minutes (p = 0.004), and handsewn anastomoses (p = 0.005) were significantly independent risk factors for postoperative intra-abdominal septic complications. Patients experiencing intra-abdominal septic complications had significantly higher 1-year reoperation rates (41.2%) than patients without intra-abdominal septic complications (2.3%, p < 0.0001). This study was limited by being a retrospective review, and the details regarding postoperative complications other than intra-abdominal septic complications were not completely available. Penetrating type, operation time >180 minutes, and handsewn anastomoses significantly increased the risk of postoperative intra-abdominal septic complications in Crohn's disease. Postoperative intra-abdominal septic complications had a negative influence on the short-term outcome in Crohn's disease.