Cosmesis and body image after laparoscopic-assisted and open ileocolic resection for Crohn's disease.
BACKGROUND
The objectives of this study were to evaluate body image, cosmetic results, and quality of life in patients with Crohn's disease of the terminal ileum who had either laparoscopic-assisted or open ileocolic resection, and to determine how patients experienced the pre- and postoperative periods after both procedures.


METHODS
Thirty-four patients participated: 11 patients after open resection (OR), 11 patients after laparoscopic-assisted resection (LR), and 12 patients without resection (WR). Retrospectively, the patients filled out several questionnaires pertaining to body image, hospital experiences, and quality of life. One-way analysis of variance, Student's t-tests, and Pearson's correlation were used for statistical analysis.


RESULTS
The cosmetic score was significantly higher in the LR than in the OR group (p < 0.01). Body image correlated strongly with cosmesis and with quality of life. The hospital experiences of the laparoscopic and open groups were similar.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic surgery was associated with better cosmesis than open surgery. Patients do not experience laparoscopic surgery any differently from open surgery.
Dunker
M S
MS
Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Leiden University Medical Hospital Center, Post Office Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
Stiggelbout
A M
AM
van Hogezand
R A
RA
Ringers
J
J
Griffioen
G
G
Bemelman
W A
WA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001828:Body Image; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000517:prevention & control; D003106:Colon / Q000601:surgery*; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007082:Ileum / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life