Stapled functional end-to-end anastomosis in Crohn's disease

The aim of this study was to review our experience of stapled functional end-to-end anastomosis following a bowel resection for Crohn's disease. Between 1988 and 1997, 62 patients underwent 63 stapled functional end-to-end anastomoses, including 54 ileocolonic, 8 ileoileal, and 1 colocolonic. One patient developed an anastomotic leak and required a laparotomy. There were no anastomotic complications in any other patients. The median duration of follow-up was 21 (rang: 4-122) months. Only one patient developed recurrence at the stapled ileocolonic anastomosis 35 months after the operation. However, this patient required no further surgical treatment. Stapled functional end-to-end anastomosis is associated with a low incidence of complications and a low incidence of early recurrence. This technique may therefore be the anastomotic configuration of choice following a bowel resection for Crohn's disease.