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Elective laparoscopic-assisted colectomy for diverticular disease. A prospective study in 50 patients
J L Bouillot1, K Aouad, A Badawy
1Department of General Surgery, Université Paris 6, Hospital Hôtel Dieu, Place du Parvis Notre Dame, 75181 Paris, Cedex 04, France.
Background:
Although several recent reports described the different methods utilized for laparoscopic colon resection, only a few of them questioned whether the procedure is appropriate for the surgical treatment of diverticular disease. To assess this question, we performed a retrospective study of 50 consecutive patients operated using laparoscopic assistance to remove the sigmoid colon for diverticular disease.
Method:
The surgical technique was a laparoscopically assisted procedure that included mobilization of the left colon and vascular ligation laparoscopically and then, via a small abdominal incision, division of the colon, removal of the specimen, and hand-sewn anastomosis.
Results:
The surgical goal was achieved in 46 cases, with a conversion rate of 8%. The mean operative time was 195 min (range 150-280 min). There was no mortality, and the morbidity rate was 14%. There were no complications directly related to the laparoscopic technique. The mean return of regular bowel habits was 3.2 days, and the median postoperative stay was 10 days.
Conclusions:
These preliminary results suggest that laparoscopic-assisted sigmoidectomy can be used safely for the surgical treatment of diverticular disease.