Correlation between early recurrence and reoperation after ileocolonic resection in Crohn's disease: a prospective study.

Abstract

The medical and surgical treatment of patients with Crohn's disease is directed at reducing symptoms and postponing recurrence. In the determination of high-risk groups for surgical recurrence after ileocolonic resection, the role of early endoscopic evaluation is unclear. We investigated the relationship between early recurrence detected endoscopically and recurrence detected by operation in a prospective study of 60 patients, who underwent ileocolonic resection for Crohn's disease. Recurrence detected endoscopically was found in 44 patients (73 percent) according to definition I (presence of any lesion detected endoscopically that was compatible with Crohn's disease) and in 21 patients (35 percent) according to definition II (five or more aphthous lesions present in the neoterminal ileum or at the anastomotic site, or 25 percent or more of the intestinal circumference inflamed). Recurrence detected surgically was found in 14 patients (23 percent). No correlation between early recurrence detected endoscopically and recurrence detected surgically was evident. Early recurrence detected endoscopically did not predict recurrence detected surgically.