Isoperistaltic versus antiperistaltic side-to-side ileocolic anastomosis in Crohn's disease and right colon adenocarcinoma: Controlled clinical trial.

Introduction: Ileocolonic anastomoses are frequent in colorectal surgeries, but anastomotic leakage remains a serious complication associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The optimal peristaltic orientation for anastomosis is still debated.

Aim: To evaluate and compare short- and long-term outcomes of isoperistaltic (IA) and antiperistaltic (AA) side-to-side ileocolic anastomoses after right colectomy or ileocecal resection for right-sided adenocarcinoma or Crohn's disease.

Methods: A single-center retrospective clinical trial was conducted at Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Monastir, involving patients with right-sided colon cancer or ileocecal Crohn's disease who underwent elective resection with either IA or AA. The primary outcome was anastomotic leakage, while secondary outcomes included postoperative morbidity and long-term results.

Results: Ninety-four patients, including 55 with right-sided colon cancer and 39 with Crohn's disease, were analyzed between January 2016 and July 2023. Of these, 48 underwent IA, and 46 underwent AA. Both anastomotic techniques exhibited similar leakage rates. Baseline and operative variables were comparable except for male predominance in AA for Crohn's disease and a higher conversion rate in AA. No significant differences were noted regarding pathological variables, operative time, bowel transit recovery, oral tolerance, hospital stay, or postoperative complications. Multivariate analysis revealed that elevated white blood cell count, R2 resection, and mucinous adenocarcinoma were risk factors for anastomotic leakage, while albumin levels and staple line reinforcement were protective factors against postoperative morbidity.

Conclusion: IA and AA demonstrated comparable safety and feasibility, though AA had a higher conversion rate. Further studies are required to optimize AA safety.