Synbiotics and Post-op Crohn's Disease

Crohn\'s disease (CD) is a lifelong incurable condition that causes inflammation of the intestinal tract of humans. The exact cause of CD is unknown, but genetics, diet, and the gut microbiome are all thought to play a major role. Many patients with CD will require surgery to remove affected portions of the gut, with ileocecal resections being the most common procedure performed. Regrettably, there is up to an 85% chance that disease returns to the surgical site. Strong immune suppressive medications may help to prevent disease relapse. However, patients are then at risk of serious side effects. Currently, no ideal post-op care exists for CD patients. This study aims to assess whether a post-op synbiotic therapy (i.e. probiotics plus dietary fiber) prevents disease relapse in participants with CD. To test this, participants will consume probiotics (strains of bifidobacteria) before their surgery and then probiotics plus fiber supplements after surgery. Probiotics are live bacteria that have been shown to reduce inflammation of the gut. Fiber is given after surgery to help promote beneficial bacterial taxa and prevent less favorable bacterial taxa from triggering CD relapse. Patients will take the supplements for 6 months following surgery. They will be seen monthly to assess the effects of treatment on quality of life, symptoms of disease recurrence, inflammatory markers, and the gut microbiome. All patients will also undergo a colonoscopy at the end of the study to check for endoscopic reoccurrence.