Long-term results of stapled and hand-sewn anastomoses in patients with Crohn's disease.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed at determining the reoperation rates of patients with anastomoses for Crohn's disease. The outcome of patients undergoing stapled anastomoses was compared with that of patients having hand-sewn anastomoses.


METHODS
Sixty-three patients undergoing intestinal resection for Crohn's disease at our institution from 1987 to 1996 were studied in a prospective, randomized trial. The group undergoing stapling comprised 30 patients and 37 anastomoses. The group with a hand-sewn anastomosis comprised 33 patients and 45 anastomoses. The median follow-up period was 87 (range 36-140) months.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences in operative indications or patients' age and sex between the groups. There was a significant difference in cumulative recurrences between the groups (Cox-Mantel test: p = 0.022).


CONCLUSIONS
A stapled anastomosis after resection for Crohn's disease may delay reoperation in patients with symptomatic recurrence.
Ikeuchi
H
H
2nd Department of Surgery, Hyogo College of Medicine, Hyogo, Japan.
Kusunoki
M
M
Yamamura
T
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000601:surgery*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012086:Reoperation; D017792:Surgical Stapling; D016896:Treatment Outcome