ELECTIVE LAPAROSCOPIC-ASSISTED COLECTOMY FOR DIVERTICULAR-DISEASE - APROSPECTIVE-STUDY IN 50 PATIENTS

Background: Although several recent reports described the different me thods utilized for laparoscopic colon resection, only a few of them qu estioned whether the procedure is appropriate for the surgical treatme nt of diverticular disease, To assess this question, we performed a re trospective study of 50 consecutive patients operated using laparoscop ic assistance to remove the sigmoid colon for diverticular disease. Me thod: The surgical technique was a laparoscopically assisted procedure that included mobilization of the left colon and vascular Ligation la paroscopically and then, via a small abdominal incision, division of t he 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 wa s no mortality, and the morbidity rate was 14%. There were no complica tions directly related to the laparoscopic technique. The mean return of regular bowel habits was 3.2 days, and the median postoperative sta y was 10 days. Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that lap aroscopic-assisted sigmoidectomy can be used safely for the surgical t reatment of diverticular disease.