Long-term results after excisional surgery for Chrohn's disease of the terminal ileum

Resection with the object of cure was undertaken in 20 patients with Crohn's disease in the terminal ileum. These patients were followed up more than five years after operation. Recurrence took place in eight patients, in half of them more than five years after the primary operation. Six patients were submitted to reoperation and two died. Seven out of the eight recurrences were localized to the anastomosis. These results may support the results of a bigger Swedish material which favours more radical primary resections in Crohn's disease.