Early symptomatic recurrence after intestinal resection in Crohn's disease is unpredictable.

OBJECTIVE: To identify predictors of early symptomatic recurrence of Crohn's disease (CD) after surgical resection. METHOD: We studied a cohort of 128 patients who had undergone at least one intestinal resection for CD. Factors that might predict early recurrence were documented for analysis using a standardized pro forma. These comprised age, gender, family history, extra-intestinal manifestations, smoking, complicated disease at first presentation, site of disease, preoperative inflammatory markers, involvement of resection margins, orientation and method of anastomosis and postoperative medical therapy. All symptomatic recurrences were confirmed by endoscopic, radiological, or operative means. We defined early recurrence as that which occurred within 36 months of first surgery. Univariate analysis was conducted to compare the distribution of each factor in those who developed early recurrence (n = 48) and those who remained disease free for the first 36 months (n = 50). RESULTS: Of the 128 patients studied, 98 fulfilled the inclusion criteria of at least 36 months of follow up. Of these patients, 48 (49%) patients developed recurrence. Trends towards fewer early recurrences were seen in patients with colonic disease (33%vs 56%, P = 0.068). Of the current smokers, 60% developed early recurrence compared with 43% of nonsmokers (P = 0.269). All other factors examined were similarly distributed between the two groups. Metronidazole as adjuvant treatment does not appear to protect against early symptomatic recurrence. CONCLUSION: This study shows that early symptomatic postoperative recurrence of CD remains unpredictable. Against expectation, abstinence from smoking and postoperative adjuvant metronidazole did not appear to protect against early symptomatic recurrence.

Tales from the frontline: the colorectal battle against SARS.

OBJECTIVE: The recent worldwide epidemic of Severe Acute Respiratory Disease (SARS) caused over 800 deaths and had a major impact on the health services in affected communities. The impact of SARS on colorectal surgery, particularly service provision and training, is unknown. This paper reports these changes from a single colorectal unit at the centre of the outbreak. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Hospital databases and electronic patient records covering the 4 months duration of the SARS epidemic and an equivalent period preceding SARS were compared. Data was collected for inpatient admissions, outpatient consultations, operative surgery, colonoscopy and waiting times for appointments or surgery. RESULTS: The SARS epidemic resulted in reductions of 52% for new outpatient attendances, 59% for review attendances, 51% for admissions, 32% for surgical procedures and 48% for colonoscopies. Major emergency procedures, cancer resections and complex major procedures were unaffected. Operative procedures by trainees reduced by 48% and procedures by specialists reduced by 21%. Patients awaiting early or urgent outpatient appointments rose by 200% with waiting times for colonoscopy increased by a median 3, 5 or 9 weeks for outpatient, inpatient or non-urgent cases, respectively. The waiting time for minor elective colorectal surgery was extended by 5 months. CONCLUSION: SARS resulted in a major reduction in the colorectal surgical caseload. The consequences were evidenced by a detrimental effect on waiting times and colorectal training. However, serious pathology requiring emergency or complex surgery was still possible within these constraints.