Laparoscopic surgery for inflammatory bowel disease: current concepts

The aim of a laparoscopic approach is reduced pain scores, early mobilization, virtual absence of wound sepsis, rapid return of gastrointestinal function, early discharge from hospital and return to normal activity and improved cosmetics. Potential advantages are fewer complications due to adhesion formation, viz. small-bowel obstruction, infertility and chronic abdominal pain-advantages that are of particular importance to patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) since they are young and in the middle of building up their socio-economic life. This review highlights the current status of laparoscopic surgery for patients with IBD.

Virtually all abdominal procedures carried out in patients with IBD can be done laparoscopically, and vary from stoma formation to restorative proctocolectomy.

Conversion rates and operating times depend on the surgical expertise and patient-related factors, viz. prior laparotomy, the presence of intestinal fistula or inflammatory masses. Morbidity rates are similar to those of open surgery provided that the procedures are done by expert laparoscopic surgeons. The observed earlier recovery contributed to laparoscopic surgery has not been proved in well-conducted trials; however, an advantage can be expected. A very obvious feature of laparoscopic surgery is the improved cosmetics, which might turn out to be the most important advantage of the laparoscopic approach in this relatively young patient group.

The laparoscopic approach can be considered the procedure of first choice in patients with IBD provided the surgery is done by expert laparoscopists ensuring low conversion rates, acceptable operating times and low morbidity.