P221 Crohn’s disease patients unable to complete preoperative mechanical bowel preparation have increased risk of anastomotic complications: results of a prospective observational study

Kunovsky , L.(1,2);Marek , F.(1);Kala , Z.(1);Ivanecka , D.(1);Iesalnieks , I.(3);

(1)Department of Surgery, University Hospital Brno, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic;(2)Department of Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, University Hospital Brno, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic;(3)Department of Surgery, München Klinik Bogenhausen, Munich, Germany

Background

To assess the risk of postoperative anastomotic leak in Crohn’s disease patients unable to complete the preoperative mechanical bowel preparation (MBP): a prospective observational study from two referral centers in Germany and the Czech Republic.

Methods

Preoperative MBP was used routinely in all Crohn’s disease patients undergoing elective ileocolic or colorectal resections completed by formation of an anastomosis since 6/2016. The MBP consisted of 2 L Polyethyleneglycol (PEG) solution combined with two doses of oral antibiotics Metronidazole/Paramomycin or Metronidazole/Neomycine. The MBP was defined as incomplete when patients were not able to drink the whole amount of PEG solution due to side effects or complications. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of anastomotic leak. The secondary endpoint was the incidence of postoperative intra-abdominal septic complications (IASC) which were defined as anastomotic leak, intra-abdominal abscess, fistula or peritonitis.

Results

Between 6/2016 and 3/2021, 157 Crohn’s disease patients underwent elective ileocolic or colorectal resections after receiving preoperative MBP and oral antibiotics. Forty (26%) developed complications from the MBP, mostly vomiting; twenty-nine patients (18.5%) were not able to complete the MBP. Female sex (HR 4.2, p=0.016) was associated with an increased probability of not being able to complete the MBP. Postoperative anastomotic leak occurred in 5 patients (3%). In a multivariate analysis, the risk of anastomotic leak was significantly higher in patients unable to complete the MBP (10.5%), as compared to patients with complete MBP (1.6%, p=0.01, HR 21.0). Postoperative IASC occurred in 7 patients (7%). Patients unable to complete preoperative MBP were at higher risk of developing IASC. However, the difference was not statistically significant (14% vs. 5%, p=0.12).

Conclusion

The anastomotic leak rate was low when preoperative MBP and oral antibiotics were used. However, patients not able to complete MBP might be at an increased risk.