The Remeasure Trial

Patients who meet inclusion criteria will be randomized between two surgical procedures: The excision of the mesentery (group A) and ileocolic anastomosis and the Kono-S anastomosis (group B) after ileocolic or ileo-cecal resection. The operation could be performed with open or laparoscopic approach. Excision of the mesentery: the mesentery is fully dissected and excised to the limit of macroscopic "fat wrapping", where mesenteric fat is inflamed and extends beyond its normal anatomical distribution over the surface of the contiguous intestine. The anastomosis between colon and ileum is than performed mechanically end to end. Kono-S anastomosis: the mesentery is not removed but cutted close to the bowel. The bowel is then divided transversely by placing a linear stapler perpendicular to the intestinal lumen and the mesentery. The corners of the two staple lines are reinforced and the two stumps are approximated using 5-7 sutures to create the column. If the caliber of the two intestinal segments differs significantly, the sutures should be spaced to evenly distribute the surplus tissue of the larger segment, in order to achieve good approximation and stable support for the anastomosis. To create the anastomosis, an antimesenteric longitudinal enterotomy (or colostomy) is performed on each stump to allow a transverse lumen of 7 cm in diameter for the small bowel or closer to 8 cm for the colon. In this way the supporting column is located immediately behind the posterior wall of the anastomosis providing a rigid and stable support to prevent mechanical deformation and functional constriction of the lumen of the anastomosis.