title: Laparoscopic-assisted vs. open ileocolic resection for Crohn's disease. A comparative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of this study was to compare laparoscopic-assisted ileocolic resection for Crohn's disease of the distal ileum with open surgery in two consecutive groups of patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 1995 until 1998, 48 patients underwent open ileocolic resection at the Academic Medical Center (AMC) in Amsterdam, while 30 patients had laparoscopic-assisted ileocolic resection at the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC). Patient characteristics, perioperative course, and recovery were compared. Differences between the groups were tested using Student's t-test for independent groups and chi-square tests when appropriate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The open and the laparoscopic patient groups were comparable for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), prior abdominal surgery, and length of resected bowel. The conversion rate was 6.6%. Laparoscopic operating times (138+/-SD 36 min) were significantly longer than those observed in the open group (104+/-SD 34 min). Discharge was significantly earlier in the laparoscopic group than the open group (5.7 vs 10.2 postoperative days, p<0.007). Postoperative morbidity did not differ significantly between the patients treated traditionally (14.6%) and laparoscopically (10%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared to open surgery, laparoscopic ileocolic resection for Crohn's disease is associated with similar morbidity rates, a shorter hospital stay, and improved cosmetic results, justifying the laparoscopic approach as the procedure of choice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Bemelman
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Slors
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Dunker
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: van Hogezand
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: van Deventer
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ringers
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Griffioen
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Gouma
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003106:Colon / Q000601:surgery; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007082:Ileum / Q000601:surgery; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013997:Time Factors