Gabriele Bislenghi1, Steffen Fieuws2,3, Albert Wolthuis4, Dirk Vanbeckevoort5, Marc Ferrante6, Joao Sabino6, Severine Vermeire6, André D'Hoore4. 1. Department of Abdominal Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. gabriele.bislenghi@uzleuven.be. 2. Interuniversity Center for Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics, University of KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. 3. University of Hasselt, Leuven, Hasselt, Belgium. 4. Department of Abdominal Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. 5. Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. 6. Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The optimal surgical approach to extensive Crohn's disease (CD) terminal ileitis is debated. To date, no studies have directly compared the short- and long-term outcomes of modified side-to-side isoperistaltic strictureplasty over the valve (mSSIS) to traditional ileocecal resection. METHODS: A retrospective, observational, comparative study was conducted in consecutive CD patients operated for extensive involvement of the terminal ileum (≥ 20 cm). Ninety-day postoperative morbidity was assessed using the comprehensive complication index (CCI). Surgical recurrence was defined as the need for any surgical intervention related to CD during the follow-up period. Endoscopic remission was defined as ≤ i2a, according to the modified Rutgeerts score. Deep remission was defined as the combination of endoscopic remission and absence of clinical symptoms. Perioperative factors related to clinical recurrence were evaluated. RESULTS: Eighty-seven patients were included (47 (54%) ileocecal resection and 40 (46%) mSSIS). Median follow-up was 56 (IQR 34.7-94.4) and 72 (IQR 48.3-87.2) months for resection and mSSIS, respectively (p < 0.001). No mortality occurred. Mean CCI was 9.1 vs 8.5 for ileocecal resection and mSSIS, respectively (p = 0.48). Throughout the follow-up, 8 patients in the resection group (17%) and 5 patients in the mSSIS group (12.5%) experienced surgical recurrence (p = 0.393). Thirty-seven (92.5%) of patients kept the mSSIS. No difference in deep remission was observed (41% vs 22.5%, p = 0.34). CONCLUSIONS: Modified SSIS seems to be non-inferior in terms of safety, recurrence, and durability to traditional resections with the advantage of mitigating the risk of a short bowel syndrome. Larger prospective studies are required to confirm these findings.
PURPOSE: The optimal surgical approach to extensive Crohn's disease (CD) terminal ileitis is debated. To date, no studies have directly compared the short- and long-term outcomes of modified side-to-side isoperistaltic strictureplasty over the valve (mSSIS) to traditional ileocecal resection. METHODS: A retrospective, observational, comparative study was conducted in consecutive CD patients operated for extensive involvement of the terminal ileum (≥ 20 cm). Ninety-day postoperative morbidity was assessed using the comprehensive complication index (CCI). Surgical recurrence was defined as the need for any surgical intervention related to CD during the follow-up period. Endoscopic remission was defined as ≤ i2a, according to the modified Rutgeerts score. Deep remission was defined as the combination of endoscopic remission and absence of clinical symptoms. Perioperative factors related to clinical recurrence were evaluated. RESULTS: Eighty-seven patients were included (47 (54%) ileocecal resection and 40 (46%) mSSIS). Median follow-up was 56 (IQR 34.7-94.4) and 72 (IQR 48.3-87.2) months for resection and mSSIS, respectively (p < 0.001). No mortality occurred. Mean CCI was 9.1 vs 8.5 for ileocecal resection and mSSIS, respectively (p = 0.48). Throughout the follow-up, 8 patients in the resection group (17%) and 5 patients in the mSSIS group (12.5%) experienced surgical recurrence (p = 0.393). Thirty-seven (92.5%) of patients kept the mSSIS. No difference in deep remission was observed (41% vs 22.5%, p = 0.34). CONCLUSIONS: Modified SSIS seems to be non-inferior in terms of safety, recurrence, and durability to traditional resections with the advantage of mitigating the risk of a short bowel syndrome. Larger prospective studies are required to confirm these findings.