Title:Immunomodulators: Friends or Enemies in Surgery for Crohn’s Disease?
Volume: 20
Issue: 13
Author(s): Kalle Landerholm, Disa Kalman, Conny Wallon and Pär Myrelid*
Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University and Department of Surgery, County Council of Ostergotland, Linkoping,Sweden
Keywords:
Crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, surgery, immunomodulators, thiopurines, azathioprine, mercaptopurine.
Abstract: Crohn’s disease may severely impact the quality of life and being a chronic disease it requires
both medical and surgical treatment aimed at induction and maintenance of remission to prevent
relapsing symptoms and the need for further surgery. Surgery in Crohn’s disease often has to be
performed in patients with well-known risk factors of post-operative complications, particularly intraabdominal
septic complications. This review will look at the current knowledge of immunomodulating
therapies in the peri-operative phase of Crohn’s disease. The influence of immunomodulators on postoperative
complications is evaluated by reviewing available clinical reports and data from animal
studies. Furthermore, the effect of immunomodulators on preventing or deferring primary as well as
repeat surgery in Crohn’s disease is reviewed with particular consideration given to high-risk cohorts
and timing of prophylaxis.