Early Surgery Versus Conservative Treatment in Patients With Ileocaecal Crohn's Disease

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Surgical therapy is currently indicated for Crohn's disease (CD) patients after conservative treatment becomes ineffective. The principles of so-called step-up therapy (STUP) where surgery represents the last therapeutical option are still followed. Early surgical intervention (Early Surgery - ES) c...

Surgical therapy is currently indicated for Crohn's disease (CD) patients after conservative treatment becomes ineffective. The principles of so-called step-up therapy (STUP) where surgery represents the last therapeutical option are still followed. Early surgical intervention (Early Surgery - ES) can be an alternative even in patients with uncomplicated type of CD before all medical therapy is used (Top-down approach). Limited resection under these conditions will lead to immediate remission. Moreover, laparoscopic ileocaecal resection is safe with low morbidity and regarding potential complications of step-up treatment might be beneficial for the patient. Before wide introduction of ES approach into clinical practice, it is necessary to perform a randomized trial comparing early resection with the standard step-up medical therapy. The potential effect of early, intensive therapy (ileocaecal resection) on biological behavior of the disease has not been studied that is why patients with uncomplicated ileocaecal form are the most suitable for such a trial. Significant number of these patients will indeed progress into more unfavorable course of the disease (relapse, complicated form, early recurrence). Other potential benefit of early resection is the extended period without necessary medication. Even pharmacological recurrence prevention is not needed after surgery in uncomplicated CD patient if other risk factors are excluded. Rapid remission induced by surgery can lead to faster improvement of quality of life than long-term medication.

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