Background: The percutaneously undrainable abdominal abscesses in Crohn's disease (CD) are not uncommon. The treatment protocol is still under debate. This study was conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) for percutaneously undrainable abscesses in CD.
Methods: A consecutive cohort of 83 CD patients with percutaneously undrainable abdominal abscesses between January 2011 and June 2015 was retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into the EEN group and the non-EEN group.
Results: The cumulative surgical rate was significantly lower in the EEN group than in the non-EEN group (P = 0.001). Fifteen percent patients treated with EEN avoided surgery. EEN (P = 0.002) was associated with a decreased need for surgery. Previous abdominal surgery (P = 0.009) and abscess diameter > 3 cm (P = 0.022) were associated with an increased need for operation. EEN increased the albumin level, while decreased ESR and CRP significantly for patients requiring surgery. The risk of postoperative intra-abdominal septic complications (P = 0.036) was significantly lower in the EEN group compared with the non-EEN group.
Conclusions: EEN is feasible in CD patients presenting with percutaneously undrainable abdominal abscesses. It is associated with a reduction in surgical rate, optimized preoperative condition, and improved postoperative outcomes in these specific groups of patients.