Does Ileocecal Resection Affect Children's Medium-Long-Term Growth and Defecation Patterns? A Matched Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND

Ileocecal resection leads to some early complications, but it is unknown whether it affects children's medium-long-term growth and defecation patterns. To determine if there was an association, we conducted this matched case-control study.

METHODS

This study was conducted in Beijing Children's Hospital and included three groups: the case group (n = 30) included patients with ileocecal duplication undergoing ileocecal resection between January 2010 and June 2021, the control group (n = 90) included outpatient patients without ileocecal resection in January 2022, and the appendectomy group (n = 90) included patients who underwent appendectomy between January 2010 and June 2021. The 1:1 matching criteria included gender and age (within 1 year). The evaluation indicators were growth (height-for-age, BMI) and defecation patterns (stool frequency, stool consistency) over 6 months after surgery. Defecation patterns were assessed in patients older than 4 years. Stool consistency was evaluated by the modified Bristol Stool Form Scale.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences, except for stool consistency, between the case and control groups regarding their growth and defecation patterns before case-control matching. The patients in the case group had a significantly higher prevalence of dry stool (P < 0.008). After case-control matching, there were no significant differences in the growth and defecation patterns between the case and control groups. Before and after case-control matching, there were no significant differences in the defecation patterns between the control group and the appendectomy group.

CONCLUSION

Children's medium-long-term growth and defecation patterns were not affected by ileocecal resection.