Prehabilitation prior to intestinal resection in Crohn's disease patients: An opinion review

M.T.J. Bak, M.F.E. Ruiterkamp, O. van Ruler, M.J.E. Campmans-Kuijpers, B.C. Bongers, N.L.U. van Meeteren, C.J. van der Woude, L.P.S. Stassen, A.C. de Vries*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal(Systematic) Review article peer-review

Abstract

Patients with Crohn's disease (CD) are at a considerable risk for intestinal surgery. Approximately 25% of patients with CD will undergo an intestinal resection within 10 years of diagnosis. Postoperative complications after CD surgery have been reported in 20%-47% of the patients. Both general and CD-related risk factors are associated with postoperative complications, and comprise non-modifiable (e.g., age) and potentially modifiable risk factors (e.g., malnutrition). Prehabilitation focuses on the preoperative period with strategies designed to optimize modifiable risk factors concerning the physical and mental condition of the individual patient. The aim of prehabilitation is to enhance postoperative recovery and return to or even improve preoperative functional capacity. Preoperative improvement of nutritional status, physical fitness, cessation of smoking, psychological support, and critical revision of preoperative use of CD medication are important strategies. Studies of the effect on postoperative outcome in CD patients are scarce, and guidelines lack recommendations on tailored management. In this opinion review, we review the current evidence on the impact of screening and management of nutritional status, physical fitness, CD medication and laboratory values on the postoperative course following an intestinal resection in CD patients. In addition, we aim to provide guidance for individualized multimodal prehabilitation in clinical practice concerning these modifiable factors.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2403-2416
Number of pages14
JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology
Volume28
Issue number22
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 14 Jun 2022

Keywords

  • Crohn's disease
  • Prehabilitation strategies
  • Nutrition
  • Physical fitness
  • Medication
  • Laboratory values
  • INFLAMMATORY-BOWEL-DISEASE
  • INTRAABDOMINAL SEPTIC COMPLICATIONS
  • EXCLUSIVE ENTERAL NUTRITION
  • SURGICAL SITE INFECTIONS
  • VEDOLIZUMAB-TREATED PATIENTS
  • POSTOPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS
  • RISK-FACTORS
  • ILEOCOLONIC RESECTION
  • PREOPERATIVE HYPOALBUMINEMIA
  • ABDOMINAL OPERATIONS

Cite this