Abstract
Background: Laparoscopic bowel surgery was evaluated in 44 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We studied feasibility, results, and final outcome.
Methods: At two academic institutes, 44 laparoscopically assisted colectomies and laparoscopic ileostomies or colostomies were attempted. All patients had histologically proven IBD and no prior surgery for IBD. Loop ileostomy (n= 4), end colostomy (n= 1), ileocecal resection (n= 26) and (procto)colectomy (n= 13) were performed. All resections were laparoscopically assisted with extracorporal resection and anastomosis.
Results: Only in two patients (ileocecal resection in both) was conversion to open surgery necessary. Two patients with laparoscopic ileocolic resection had intra-abdominal abscesses, which were drained percutaneously in both. One patient in the laparoscopically assisted colectomy group had a subphrenic abscess that was drained percutaneously, and one patient had a generalized candidiasis.
Conclusions: Laparoscopically assisted colectomies can be performed safely in treating IBD. The laparoscopic method with use of a small vertical umbilical or Pfannenstiel's incision seems acceptable with regard to operating time and overall costs, also allowing superior cosmesis to be maintained.
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Received: 12 August 1998/Accepted: 13 January 1999
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Meijerink, W., Eijsbouts, Q., Cuesta, M. et al. Laparoscopically assisted bowel surgery for inflammatory bowel disease . Surg Endosc 13, 882–886 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004649901125
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004649901125