The role of a defunctioning stoma for colonic and perianal Crohn's disease in the biological era

OBJECTIVE: A defunctioning stoma is a therapeutic option for colonic or perianal Crohn's disease. In the pre-biologic era the response rate to defunctioning in our unit was high (86%), but intestinal continuity was only restored in 11-20%. Few data exist on the outcome of defunctioning since the widespread introduction of biologicals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All patients undergoing a defunctioning stoma for colonic/perianal Crohn's disease since 2003-2011 were identified from a prospective database. Indications for surgery, medical therapy, response to defunctioning and long-term clinical outcome were recorded. Successful restoration of continuity was defined as no stoma at last follow up. RESULTS: Seventy-six patients were defunctioned (57 with biologicals) and at last follow up, 20 (27%) had continuity restored. Early clinical response rate (