Laparoscopic Major Gastrointestinal Surgery Is Safe for Properly Selected Patient with COPD: A Meta-Analysis

Laparoscopy has been widely applied in gastrointestinal surgery, with benefits such as less intraoperative blood loss, faster recovery, and shorter length of hospital stay. However, it remains controversial if laparoscopic major gastrointestinal surgery could be conducted for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which was traditionally considered as an important risk factor for postoperative pulmonary complications. The present study was conducted to review and assess the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic major abdominal surgery for patient with COPD.

Databases including PubMed, EmBase, Cochrane Library, and Wan-fang were searched for all years up to Jul 1, 2018. Studies comparing perioperative results for COPD patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery between laparoscopic and open approaches were enrolled.

Laparoscopic approach was associated with less intraoperative blood loss (MD = -174.03; 95% CI: -232.16 to -115.91, P < 0.00001; P < 0.00001, I²=93% for heterogeneity) and shorter length of hospital stay (MD = -3.30; 95% CI: -3.75 to -2.86, P < 0.00001; P = 0.99, I²=0% for heterogeneity). As for pulmonary complications, laparoscopic approach was associated with lower overall pulmonary complications rate (OR = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.48 to 0.71, P < 0.00001; P = 0.42, I²=0% for heterogeneity) and lower postoperative pneumonia rate (OR = 0.53; 95% CI: 0.41 to 0.67, P < 0.00001; P = 0.57, I²=0% for heterogeneity). Moreover, laparoscopic approach was associated with lower wound infection (OR = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.42 to 0.63, P < 0.00001; P = 0.99, I²=0% for heterogeneity) and abdominal abscess rates (OR = 0.59; 95% CI: 0.44 to 0.79, P < 0.0004; P = 0.24, I²=30% for heterogeneity).

Laparoscopic major gastrointestinal surgery for properly selected COPD patient was safe and feasible, with shorter term benefits.