Long-Term Efficacy Analysis of Exclusive Enteral Nutrition for the Treatment of Abdominal Abscess in Crohn’s Disease

Abstract

Objective: The objective is to explore the long-term efficacy of total enteral nutrition in the treatment of abdominal abscess in Crohn’s disease. Methods: Patients treated with EEN in our hospital and whose abdominal abscess disappeared after 12 weeks of treatment were included, and the data of abscess recurrence and surgical treatment during follow-up were included. Results: A total of 44 consecutive cases meeting the criteria were included. The 1-year and 2-year recurrence rates were 22.5% and 39.9% respectively. Among the patients with recurrence, 10 patients chose EEN treatment again, and 5 patients received direct surgical treatment. Of the patients who chose to undergo EEN treatment again, 8 still eventually required surgery. The 1-year operative rate was 16.9%, and the 2-year operative rate was 35.6%. The median operative time was 33.3 (95% CI: 21.3, 45.4) months. Conclusions: The 2-year cumulative incidence of recurrence of abdominal abscess in CD patients whose abdominal abscess disappeared after EEN was 39.9%, and the 2-year cumulative surgical rate was 35.6%. The operative stomy rate decreased after EEN, and the primary anastomosis rate increased significantly.