Complication Profiles following Right-Sided Segmental Colectomy: A Comparative Retrospective Analysis of Crohn's...

Concerns regarding the higher incidence of postoperative complications in Crohn's disease patients may delay surgical resection. Calibrating postoperative risks specific to Crohn's disease, with the more common indication of colon cancer, is valuable for making informed surgical decisions. The primary objective of this study was to report a disease-specific postoperative complication profile. The secondary objective was to identify factors associated with significant complications (Clavien-Dindo classification grade ≥2).

This retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary center from January 2010 to December 2025 on adult patients who underwent right-sided segmental colectomy for Crohn's disease or colon cancer. The data analyzed included demographics, comorbidities, laboratory findings, and perioperative clinical variables and 30-day postoperative complications.

A total of 230 patients met the inclusion criteria (86 with Crohn's disease and 144 with colon cancer). Patients with Crohn's disease were significantly younger and had fewer associated comorbidities. No differences were observed in the overall postoperative complications. However, among patients who developed complications, the rate of infectious complications was higher in patients with Crohn's disease compared to patients with colon cancer (72.4% vs. 46.4%, p = 0.022). Respiratory complications occurred only in patients with colon cancer. Chronic kidney disease and conversion to open surgery were found to be independently associated with significant complications on multivariate regression analysis.

Overall postoperative complications rates were comparable between Crohn's disease and colon cancer patients undergoing right-sided segmental colectomy. However, a disease-specific complication profile was noted, with a higher rate of infectious complications in Crohn's disease.