Knowledge Gaps in the Management of Postoperative Crohn’s Disease: A US National Survey

Postoperative recurrence (POR) of Crohn’s disease (CD) is common. Guidelines on POR management have recently been issued, but clinical practice may vary.

To examine the current clinical practice of POR management in the USA

A web-based survey was sent to all members of the American Gastroenterological Association and the American College of Gastroenterology. The survey consisted of multiple-choice questions with clinical scenarios to assess how participants manage POR.

A total of 189 responses were received from practices in 34 states. 44% of participants were from academic settings. The median number of CD patients seen each month was 20–30 patients per participant. The majority of participants considered smoking, prior intestinal surgery, penetrating disease, perianal fistula, early disease onset, and long extent of disease as high-risk factors for POR. To diagnose and grade endoscopic recurrence, 57% of participants used an endoscopic scoring system; 86% defined clinical recurrence using a combination of symptoms and endoscopic findings; and 79% of participants routinely performed colonoscopy after surgery. In high-risk patients, 65% offered medical prophylaxis—most often biologics and/or immunomodulators—immediately after surgery, while 34% offered medical prophylaxis regardless of the patient’s risk of POR. 64% of participants never stopped medical prophylaxis once initiated.

Most gastroenterologists routinely perform colonoscopy to guide POR management. The majority of these providers continue medical prophylaxis indefinitely regardless of subsequent endoscopic findings. Further research is needed to determine the risks and benefits of continuing versus deescalating therapy in patients with potentially surgically induced remission.