Abstract
Background
Crohn’s disease (CD) is an inflammatory bowel condition that still requires surgical intervention in about 70% of cases with laparoscopic surgery increasingly becoming the preferred approach. We present our experience in laparoscopic and open surgery for luminal CD in a DGH setting.
Methods
This was a retrospective analysis of data collected prospectively between 2008 and 2018. All patients with the diagnosis of CD who underwent a surgical intervention for luminal CD were selected and their demographic, clinical and surgical outcomes data analysed.
Results
183 patients were identified. 162 (87%) underwent open and 21 (13%) laparoscopic surgery (p < 0.0001). The median age was 48 years (16–82 years) in the open group and 42 years (16–64 years) in the laparoscopic group(p = 0.05). Male:female ratio was 1:1.2 in the open and 1:1 in the laparoscopic groups. Anastomotic leak rates were lower in the laparoscopic group (0% vs. 2.5%, p = 0.3520). Statistically significant lower readmission rates (9.5% in the laparoscopic, 18% in the open groups, p = 0.0255) and reoperation rates (14% in the laparoscopic and 18% in the open groups, p = 0.0108) were noted in the laparoscopic group.
Conclusion
Laparoscopic surgery is safe in patients requiring surgical intervention for Crohn’s disease with a notable trend towards improved clinical outcomes.
Stepwise Training in Laparoscopic Surgery for Complex Ileocolonic Crohn's Disease: Analysis of 127 Training Episodes