Laparoscopic total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis.

AIM: The aim was to study the feasibility of the laparoscopic approach in the management of ulcerative colitis, to assess the functional results at 1-year and to review of literature on the topic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients presenting for surgical management of histopathologically proven ulcerative colitis during the study period were included in the study. All patients presenting in a non-emergency setting were offered a two-stage procedure (Group A). The first-stage consisted of laparoscopic total proctocolectomy (TPC) with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) with a diverting split end ileostomy. Ileostomy was closed in the second stage. For patients presenting in acute setting (Group B), the first-stage consisted of laparoscopic TPC with end ileostomy followed by IPAA with diverting split end ileostomy in the second-stage and finally ileostomy closure in the third-stage. The technique is described.

RESULTS: A total of 31 cases underwent laparoscopic TPC-IPAA, of which 28 belonged to Group A and 3 were included in Group B. All surgeries were successfully completed laparoscopically without need for conversion. The average operating time was 375 min in Group A (range: 270-500 min) and 390 min in Group B (range: 250-480 min). Oral diet was resumed at a mean of 3.4 days (range: 1.5-6 days) and the mean hospital stay was 8.2 days (range: 4-26 days). Overall morbidity rate was 16.2%; re-operation rate was 9.7% while mortality was nil.

CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic TPC-IPAA is feasible in acute as well as non-acute setting in patients needing surgical management of ulcerative colitis.