Contributor: Linda Ferrari
Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is today considered the gold standard and, in experienced hands, can now be performed safely for UC with a low postoperative complication rate and a long-term pouch failure rate reported less than 10%6-8.
The introduction of minimally invasive techniques might further decrease postoperative morbidity and improve patients’ satisfaction, with reduced impact on body image and better cosmesis9-11. Unfortunately not every patient is a candidate for a restorative operation and, like in the case of our patient, a total proctocolectomy (TPC) with a permanent Brook ileostomy is performed with a laparoscopic approach.
Laparoscopic TPC offers significant advantages over the open conventional procedure in terms of body image and cosmesis, important factors in the acceptance of surgery in this young patient population, while conflicting results have been reported in terms of postoperative recovery. Faster return of bowel function after laparoscopy and decreased use of narcotics have been reported by some authors, not always translating into shorter hospital stay.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17797/ukm5thekea
Editor Recruited By: Jeffrey B. Matthews, MD