The Long-term Results of Excisional Surgery for Primary and Recurrent Crohn's Disease of the Large Intestine

Two-hundred and seven survivors of excisional surgery for primary Crohn's disease of the large intestine have been followed for a mean period of 15 years (range, 7 to 25 years). Of the 45 patients who were treated by colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis, 32 (71 percent) developed recurrence in the terminal ileum, rectum, or ileum and rectum, (and in the duodenum in one). Most recurrences appeared during the first few years, but there appeared to be some continuing predisposition to recurrence indefinitely. Nineteen of the patients with recurrences proceeded to rectal excision and ileostomy. A total of 17 patients (3 percent) with or without recurrence had good functional results with a retained ileorectal anastomosis. Of the 162 patients who were treated by ileostomy and colectomy or proctocolectomy (rarely rectal excision and iliac colostomy), 24 (14.8 percent) had recurrences, usually in the bowel immediately above the stoma and, occasionally, more extensively elsewhere. Most recurrences manifested themselves in the first eight to ten years after operation, and the continuing predisposition thereafter was relatively slight. The inconvenience occasioned by the stoma in these 162 patients was rated as nil in 36.4 percent, negligible in 33.3 percent, moderate or severe in 25.3 percent, and ileostomy refashioning was performed in 5.0 percent with improvement in most instances. The overall condition of the 162 patients was considered to be excellent in 71 percent, fair in 22.8 percent, and poor in 6.2 percent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)