Laparoscopic treatment of fulminant ulcerative colitis

The complexity and risks of the surgical treatment of ulcerative colitis are greater in patients with fulminant disease. Subtotal colectomy is frequently offered to such patients to control acute disease and restore immunological and nutritional status prior to a restorative procedure. The role of laparoscopy in this setting is poorly defined.

The records of 18 patients with poorly controlled fulminant colitis on aggressive immunosuppressive therapy who underwent laparoscopic subtotal colectomy were reviewed.

Postoperative complications occurred in six patients (33%). Postoperative length of stay was 5.0 +/- 0.3 days vs 8.8 +/- 1.8 days (p<0.05) for a group of six patients who had undergone open subtotal colectomy for the same indications. Systemic steroids were withdrawn in all patients, and 17 patients subsequently underwent proctectomy and pelvic pouch construction.

The relatively high morbidity rate in these patients is likely related to their compromised status at the time of surgery. Laparoscopic subtotal colectomy in patients with fulminant ulcerative colitis allows for earlier hospital discharge, facilitates subsequent pelvic pouch, construction, and provides an excellent alternative to conventional two- and three-stage surgical treatment.