Laparoscopic-assisted vs open colectomy for severe acute colitis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) - A retrospective study in 42 patients

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can be complicated by severe a cute colitis. Emergency colectomy is mandatory if patients do not respond t o intensive medical therapy. A minimally invasive approach such as laparosc opic-assisted colectomy might be beneficial in these patients. Therefore, w e set out to assess the feasibility and the safety of emergency laparoscopi c-assisted colectomy in LED patients with severe acute colitis. Methods: A total of 42 consecutive patients underwent an emergency colectom y with end-ileostomy. Ten patients had laparoscopic-assisted colectomy, and 32 had open colectomy. Pre- and perioperative parameters, morbidity, and m ortality were analyzed. Results: The two groups were comparable for patient characteristics. There were no conversions in the laparoscopic group. The operation time was longe r in the laparoscopic group than in the open group (271 vs 150 min; p < 0.0 01), but the hospital stay was shorter (14.6 vs 18.0 days; p = 0.05). Compl ications were similar for the two groups. Conclusion: Laparoscopic-assisted colectomy in LED patients with severe acu te colitis is feasible and as safe as open colectomy.