Characteristics and treatment of the complications of Crohn's disease / 中华消化外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the characteristics and treatment of the complications of Crohn's disease. Methods The clinical data of 202 patients with Crohn's disease and relevant complications who were admitted to the Nanjing General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command from January 2000 to December 2007 were retrospectively analyzed. The main complications included intestinal obstruction, fistula, acute perforation,abscess, abdominal mass and et al. Results Of the 202 patients, 116 had more than two complications. Intestinal obstruction (72 patients) was the most common complication among the initial complications, and followed by fistula (31 patients), acute perforation (23 patients), abscess (22 patients), abdominal mass (22 patients),anal complications (21 patients) and gastrointestinal bleeding (11 patients). Fistula was mostly observed in patients with secondary complications during the early stage (≤three months), while obstruction (24 patients),fistula (22 patients) and obscess (11 patients) were prevalent during the mid-late stage (＞ three months). Of the 202 patients with primary complications, 170 received surgical treatment and 32 received non-surgical treatment. Of the 116 patients with secondary complications, 96 received surgical treatment and 20 received non-surgical treatment. A total of 127 patients were cured by surgical treatment, the condition of 33 patients was improved and six patients died. The condition of patients received non-surgical treatment was improved, and no patient died.Conclusions The incidence of complications of Crohn's disease is increasing steadily. Intestinal obstruction is the most common complication, and then followed by fistula. Surgery is important in the treatment of the complications of Crohn's disease.