Background: Recurrence of Crohn's disease usually occurs at anastomotic sites.
Objective: A new anastomosis technique (Kono-S anastomosis) designed to minimize anastomotic restenosis was compared with conventional anastomoses.
Design and settings: The Kono-S anastomosis technique was first used for Crohn's disease in 2003 at the Asahikawa Medical University Hospital. The resection is accomplished by transecting the bowel with a linear cutter so that the mesentery side is located in the center of the stump. Both stumps are sutured to create a supporting column to maintain the diameter and dimension of the anastomosis. Longitudinal enterotomies are made at the antimesenteric sides of the 2 segments of intestine. The side-to-side antimesenteric anastomosis is then performed in transverse fashion. The medical records and follow-up details of all patients undergoing this procedure were reviewed.
Patients: : From 2003 to 2009, 69 patients with Crohn's disease who underwent Kono-S anastomosis (group S) were compared with 73 historical patients with Crohn's disease who underwent conventional anastomosis (group C) from 1993 to 2003.
Main outcome measures: A Kaplan-Meier analysis of the follow-up data on surgical recurrence at the anastomosis was performed. The endoscopic recurrence score at the anastomosis was calculated.
Results: The median endoscopic recurrence score in group S was significantly lower than that in group C (2.6 vs 3.4; P = .008). The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a lesser probability of anastomotic surgical recurrence in the S group at 5 years (0% vs 15%; P = .0013). The absence of postoperative infliximab did not affect the restenosis rate in group S.
Limitations: This study was limited by its historical retrospective nature.
Conclusion: The Kono-S anastomosis appears to be effective in preventing anastomotic surgical recurrence in Crohn's disease.