Gastroenterology
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Many patients with inflammatory bowel disease receive corticosteroids and 6-mercaptopurine/azathioprine during elective bowel surgery. We investigated the postoperative infection risk for patients undergoing elective bowel surgery who were receiving corticosteroids and/or 6-mercaptopurine/azathioprine before surgery compared with patients not receiving these medications. ⋯ Preoperative use of corticosteroids in patients with inflammatory bowel disease who are undergoing elective bowel surgery is associated with an increased risk of postoperative infectious complications. 6-Mercaptopurine/azathioprine alone and the addition of 6-mercaptopurine/azathioprine for patients receiving corticosteroids was not found to significantly increase the risk of postoperative infectious complications.