Elective laparoscopic-assisted sigmoidectomy for diverticulitis. Prospective study of 56 cases.

Objective: The aim of this prospective study was to assess the feasability and postoperative advantages of the laparoscopic-assisted elective colectom y for diverticular disease. Patients and methods: From january 1989 to december 1997, among the 114 pat ients electively operated on for diverticulitis, 56 patients were treated b y laparoscopic approach. Evaluated parameters included: gender, age, weight , size, ASA score, operating time, duration of hospital stay, of analgesic treatment, and of postoperative ileus, morbidity and mortality rate. Results: The study group consisted of 35 women and 21 men. Mean age was 59 years (34-81 years); 29 patients were ASA 1 and 27 ASA 2. Overall postopera tive mortality rate was 0% and morbidity rate 16 % (n = 9). There were no c omplications directly related to laparoscopic technique. The conversion rat e was 14% (n = 8). Mean operating time was 300 min (200-600 min). Mean dura tion of postoperative ileus was 2.4 days. Mean duration of hospital stay wa s 9.4 days. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the feasability of elective laparoscopi c-assisted colonic resection for diverticular disease in more than 80% of c ases with a postoperative morbidity and mortality rate comparable to those of conventional surgery. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsev ier SAS.