Anti-TNF use prior to bowel resection is not associated with 30 day postoperative complications: A national database study

Abstract

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients are often counseled to pause anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy before surgery. Here, we assessed the effects of preoperative anti-TNF treatment on bowel resection complications. Methods: A national database analysis was performed. IBD patients who underwent bowel resection were included. Patients using preoperative anti-TNF were stratified by treatment regimen. Complication rates were compared between these groups and a control group with no anti-TNF history. Results: Twenty thousand and sixty-eight patients matched our criteria. We observed no significant differences between preoperative anti-TNF regimens and postoperative bowel resection complications. Conclusions: These data suggest that anti-TNF therapy may safely be continued prior to bowel resection.