Abstract
Background: Although several recent reports described the different methods utilized for laparoscopic colon resection, only a few of them questioned whether the procedure is appropriate for the surgical treatment of diverticular disease. To assess this question, we performed a retrospective study of 50 consecutive patients operated using laparoscopic assistance to remove the sigmoid colon for diverticular disease.
Method: The surgical technique was a laparoscopically assisted procedure that included mobilization of the left colon and vascular ligation laparoscopically and then, via a small abdominal incision, division of the 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 was no mortality, and the morbidity rate was 14%. There were no complications directly related to the laparoscopic technique. The mean return of regular bowel habits was 3.2 days, and the median postoperative stay was 10 days.
Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that laparoscopic-assisted sigmoidectomy can be used safely for the surgical treatment of diverticular disease.
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Received: 30 July 1997/Accepted: 21 January 1998
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Bouillot, J., Aouad, K., Badawy, A. et al. Elective laparoscopic-assisted colectomy for diverticular disease . Surg Endosc 12, 1393–1396 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004649900866
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004649900866