Laparoscopic left colon resection for diverticular disease.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to review our experience with laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy for diverticular disease.

METHODS

All patients presenting with acute or chronic diverticulitis, obstruction, abscess, or fistula were included. Symptomatic diverticular disease was the main surgical indication (95%).

RESULTS

Between March 1992 and August 1999 170 consecutive patients underwent surgery. Of these, 21 patients (12%) had significant obesity, with body mass index (BMI) greater than 30. The average length of surgery was 141 +/- 36 min. In 163 patients (96%), the procedure was performed solely with the laparoscope. The nasogastric tube was removed on postoperative day 2 +/- 1.9, and oral feeding was started on postoperative day 3.4 +/- 2.1. The average length of hospital stay after surgery was 8.5 +/- 3.7 days. During the first postoperative month, there were no deaths. However, 11 patients (6.5%) had surgical complications: 5 anastomotic leaks (2.9%), 1 intraabdominal abscess (0.6%), and 3 wound infections (1.7%). There were four reinterventions (2.4%), with two diverting colostomies. Secondarily, 10 anastomotic stenoses (5.9%) were observed. Eight patients required a reintervention: seven anastomotic resections by open laparotomy and one terminal colostomy. Seven patients (4.1%) reported retrograde ejaculation, and one reported impotence.

CONCLUSIONS

The feasibility of the laparoscopic approach to diverticular disease is established with a conversion rate of 4%, a low incidence of acute septic complications (5.3%), and a mortality rate of 0%. Therefore, laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy has become our procedure of choice in the treatment of diverticular disease.