Blood levels, including white blood cell count to avoid leukopenia and bone marrow suppression,should be monitored every 3 months. Mesalamine, in 3-g doses, has been suggested to prevent postoperative recurrence of Crohn s disease when it is instituted shortly after surgery. Infusion of Infliximab at 8-week intervals has also shown promising results in maintaining remission but it is not yet clear how long this expensive therapy will have to be maintained. Addition of azathioprine or methotrexate may influence long-term success rates. Patients require surgery earlier if they develop intra-abdominal abscesses or the rare free perforation.
Most abscesses require percutaneous or operative drainage.
In the presence of a severe protein losing entropathy, surgery should not be delayed.