title: The use of a mini-laparotomy in total abdominal colectomy for mucosal ulcerative colitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Minimally invasive surgery, with its advantages of early return to normal activity and good cosmetic results, is an important goal in the treatment of patients with mucosal ulcerative colitis. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes utilizing a mini-laparotomy approach to total abdominal colectomy for mucosal ulcerative colitis with those of the conventional approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven patients scheduled to undergo the first (total abdominal colectomy) of a 2 or 3-stage operation for mucosal ulcerative colitis via a mini-laparotomy between 1999 and 2001 were prospectively studied. The mini-laparotomy described here involves total abdominal colectomy performed through a skin incision shorter than 7 cm. Seven similar patients who underwent conventional laparotomy between 1995 and 1998 served as the control group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mini-laparotomy approach was accomplished in 9 patients (81.8%). Patient characteristics between cases and controls were similar. Postoperative intervals until standing, walking, flatus, urinary catheter removal, and tolerance of solid diet were significantly shorter in the mini-laparotomy group (P = 0.031, P = 0.023, P = 0.0033, P = 0.0093, and P = 0.023, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A mini-laparotomy approach to total abdominal colectomy appears feasible and safe in selected patient with mucosal ulcerative colitis and poses an attractive alternative to conventional laparotomy in patients similar to those presented here.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Surgery, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan. nakagoe@net.nagasaki-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Tohru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakagoe
authors.forename: Terumitsu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sawai
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsuji
authors.forename: Masa-aki
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Jibiki
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nanashima
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yasutake
authors.forename: Hiroyoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ayabe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003082:Colectomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000601:surgery*; D039021:Colonic Pouches; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007081:Ileostomy; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013525:Surgical Instruments