Intraoperative enteroscopy detects more lesions but is not predictive of postoperative recurrence in Crohn's disease

Background: The aim of this investigation was to elucidate the clinical val ue of intraoperative enteroscopy (IOE) for Crohn's disease, and to determin e the value of IOE in predicting recurrent disease. Methods: In this study 27 patients requiring surgery were examined by both preoperative radiography and IOE. The findings obtained by these procedures in the remnant small intestine were compared. In 19 patients, the clinical course and colonoscopic or radiographic findings after surgery were analyz ed. Results: Intestinal lesions were identified in 23 patients by IOE, and in 1 9 patients by radiography, Longitudinal ulcers were equivalently detected b y IOE (63%) and radiography (56%), whereas small ulcers and inflammatory po lyps were less frequently detected by radiography than by IOE (37% vs 74% a nd 19% vs 33%, respectively). Neither the presence nor the distribution of IOE findings was related to postoperative recurrence. Conclusions: Whereas IOE demonstrates small intestinal lesions in detail, t he procedure alone cannot predict postoperative recurrence in Crohn's disea se.