Postoperative Complications in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Population-based Study

Background: We describe, in a population-based cohort, the incidence of and factors associated with postoperative complications (POCs) in pediatric-onset inflammatory bowel disease. Methods: Using the pediatric population-based EPIMAD Cohort (1988-2004), among 692 incident inflammatory bowel disease cases, 128 patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and 25 with ulcerative colitis (UC) (22%) had undergone at least 1 major abdominal surgery at a median age of 16 years [interquartile range, Q1-Q3 = 14-17]. Factors associated with POC were assessed using Cox models. Results: After a median postoperative follow-up of 8 years (3-12), 76 (49.7%) patients had experienced at least 1 POC with a total of 113 complications. The frequency of severe POC (grade >2) was similar in CD and UC (28% of all complications versus 27%, P = 0.95). A total of 64 early POCs (within 30 d of surgery) were observed in 47 patients (31%), with 33 being infectious and 31 noninfectious, higher in UC than in CD (25% of patients with CD versus 60% of patients with UC, P < 0.001). Forty-nine late POCs (>= 30 d) were observed in 37 patients (24%). The occurrence of late POC was similar in UC and CD. The cumulative probability of POC was 31% (95% confidence interval, 24-39) at 1 month, 46% (38-54) at 1 year, and 48% (41-57) at 5 years. Multivariate analysis found that the UC type was the only factor associated with early POC (hazard ratio = 2.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.6-5.4). Conclusions: One-half of the children with inflammatory bowel disease had experienced at least 1 POC. Only UC relative to CD was significantly associated with an increased risk of early POC.