Single access laparoscopic total colectomy for severe refractory ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND Single port laparoscopic surgery allows total colectomy and end ileostomy for medically uncontrolled ulcerative colitis solely via the stoma site incision.While intuitively appealing,there is sparse evidence for its use beyond feasibility.AIM To examine the usefulness of single access laparoscopy(SAL)in a general series experience of patients sick with ulcerative colitis.METHODS All patients presenting electively,urgently or emergently over a three-year period under a colorectal specialist team were studied.SAL was performed via the stoma site on a near-consecutive basis by one surgical team using a“surgical glove port”allowing group-comparative and case-control analysis with a contemporary cohort undergoing conventional multiport surgery.Standard,straight rigid laparoscopic instrumentation were used without additional resource.RESULTS Of 46 consecutive patients requiring surgery,39(85%)had their procedure begun laparoscopically.27(69%)of these were commenced by single port access with an 89%completion rate thereafter(three were concluded by multi-trocar laparoscopy).SAL proved effective in comparison to multiport access regardless of disease severity providing significantly reduced operative access costs(>100€case)and postoperative hospital stay(median 5 d vs 7.5 d,P=0.045)without increasing operative time.It proved especially efficient in those with preoperative albumin>30 g/dL(n=20).Its comparative advantages were further confirmed in ten pairs case-matched for gender,body mass index and preoperative albumin.SAL outcomes proved durable in the intermediate term(median follow-up=20 mo).CONCLUSION Single port total colectomy proved useful in planned and acute settings for patients with medically refractory colitis.Assumptions regarding duration and cost should not be barriers to its implementation.

Colonic Crohn’s disease-decision is more important than incision:A surgical dilemma

The most common localization for intestinal Crohn’s disease(CD)is the terminal ileum and ileocecal area.It is estimated that patients with CD have one in four chance of undergoing surgery during their life.As surgery in ulcerative colitis ultimately cures the disease,in CD,regardless of the extent of bowel removed,the risk of disease recurrence is as high as 40%.In elective surgery,management of isolated Crohn’s colitis continues to evolve.Depending on the type of surgery performed,colonic CD patients often require further medical or surgical therapy to prevent or treat recurrence.The elective surgical treatment of colonic CD is strictly dependent on the localization of disease,and the choice of the procedure is dependent of the extent of colonic involvement and previous resection.The most common surgical options in colonic CD are total proctocolectomy(TPC)with permanent ileostomy,segmental bowel resection,subtotal colectomy.TPC completely removes all colonic and rectal disease and avoids the use of a potentially diseased anus.We will review current options for the elective surgical treatment of colonic CD,based on the current literature and our own personal experience.