LAPAROSCOPIC ASSISTED SURGERY IN CROHNS-D ISEASE

From Jan. 1993 to Apr. 1997 intestinal resections in Crohn's disease h ave been performed in 275 patients. 89 patients have been operated on laparoscopic assisted. The following parameters were analyzed: previou s laparotomies, extent of resection, steroid medication, conversionrat e, complications, operative time and postoperative stay. Endpoints wer e: conversionrate, complications, reconvalescence and overall satifact ion with the laparoscopic technique. Results: The duration of the dise ase ranged from 1 to 16 years (x = 6). 47 patients were under steroid medication at the time of surgery. 30 patients had undergone previous laparotomies. In 10 patients the operation had to be converted into op en surgery. The following procedures have been performed: ileocaecal r esections (45), anastomotic resections (14), small bowel resections (4 ), hemicolectomies (12), colectomies (9), loopileostomies (4), adhesio lysis (1). Minor complications occurred in 6.7 % of patients, major co mplications in 5.6 %. Operative time ranged from 70 to 420 minutes (x = 173.7). The postoperative hospital stay was 13.3 days in the average . Conclusion: The morbidity of 12.3 % is not higher than in open surge ry. When complications do not occur the patients benefit from early co nvalescence, better cosmetics and shorter hospital stay.