Comparing two surgical techniques for Crohn's disease

MeSenteric SpAring Versus High Ligation Ileocolic Resection for the Prevention of REcurrent Crohn's DiseaSe (SPARES)

NA · The Cleveland Clinic · NCT04578392

This study is testing two different surgical methods for people with severe Crohn's disease to see which one helps reduce the chances of the disease coming back after surgery.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment181 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
SponsorThe Cleveland Clinic (other)
Drugs / interventionsvedolizumab, ustekinumab
Locations7 sites (Los Angeles, California and 6 other locations)
Trial IDNCT04578392 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to compare two surgical techniques for patients with medically refractory terminal ileal Crohn's disease: high ligation of the ileocolic artery versus mesenteric sparing ileocolic resection. Patients will be randomized based on their risk of post-operative recurrence, and the primary endpoint will be the rate of endoscopic recurrence at six months post-surgery. The study will also assess secondary endpoints at one and five years after the procedure. Conducted as a multicenter international study, it seeks to understand the role of the mesentery in disease recurrence following surgery.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18-65 with isolated ileocolic Crohn's disease less than 30 cm in length who have not responded to medical therapy.

Not a fit: Patients under 18, those with extensive disease or requiring additional surgical interventions, or those undergoing repeat ileocolic resections may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved surgical outcomes and reduced recurrence rates for patients with Crohn's disease.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have indicated the importance of surgical technique in managing Crohn's disease, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Males and females 18-65 years of age.
* Isolated ileocolic Crohn's disease of \<30 cm in length
* Concurrent therapies with corticosteroids, 5-ASA drugs, thiopurines, MTX, antibiotics, anti-TNF, vedolizumab, ustekinumab therapy are permitted.
* Ability to comply with protocol
* Competent and able to provide written informed consent
* Medically refractory disease or inability to tolerate ongoing medical therapy

Exclusion Criteria:Inability to give informed consent.

* Patients less than 18 years of age
* Patients undergoing repeat ileocolic resection
* Patients with concurrent disease in other locations (e.g. proximal stricturing of the small bowel, fistulizing disease to the sigmoid colon) requiring an additional intervention in the operating room beyond an ileocolic resection.
* Patients with \>30 cm of terminal ileal disease
* Patients who are undergoing an ileal resection only (NOT ileocecal) because the disease spares the distal most aspect of ileum and ileocecal valve
* Patient whose anastomosis is diverted intra-operatively with a loop or end ileostomy
* Clinically significant medical conditions within the six months before surgery: e.g. myocardial infarction, active angina, congestive heart failure or other conditions that would, in the opinion of the investigators, compromise the safety of the patient.
* Specific exclusions; Evidence of hepatitis B, C, or HIV
* History of cancer including melanoma (with the exception of localized skin cancers)
* Emergent indication for an operation
* Pregnant or breast feeding.
* History of clinically significant auto-immunity (other than Crohn's disease) or any previous example of fat-directed autoimmunity
* Inability to follow up at respective sites for the primary endpoint

Where this trial is running

Los Angeles, California and 6 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Crohn Disease, ileocolic resection, Crohn's disease

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.