Safety, feasibility, and short-term outcomes in 588 patients undergoing minimally invasive ileal pouch-anal anastomosis: a single-institution experience

A laparoscopic approach to proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) in patients with chronic ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis has grown in popularity secondary to reports of small series demonstrating short-term patient benefits. Limited data exist in large numbers of patients undergoing laparoscopic ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (L-IPAA). We aimed to analyze surgical outcomes in a large cohort of patients undergoing L-IPAA.

From a prospectively maintained surgical database, 30-day surgical outcome data were reviewed for all L-IPAA performed for chronic ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis from 1999 to 2012. Demographics, operative approach, and operative and postoperative complications were analyzed.

A total of 588 L-IPAA ileal pouch-anal anastomoses were performed predominantly for chronic ulcerative colitis (93.9 %). The mean age was 36.2 years, and 54.3 % were male, with a mean BMI of 24.1 kg/m². Three-stage operations were performed in 17.7 %. The mean operating time of the patients excluding 3-stage operation was 269.4 min. Minimally invasive techniques included hand-assist in 55 % and straight laparoscopy in 45 %. Conversion to open occurred in 8.8 %. Median length of stay was 5 days. There was no mortality. Complications occurred in 36.9 % of patients: Clavien grade I (17.5 %), grade II (72.8 %), and grade III (9.7 %). Analysis of the grouped data over time demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in operative time (p < 0.001) and an increase in the ratio of hand-assisted over straight laparoscopy (p = 0.001).

Minimally invasive IPAA performed using either a laparoscopic or hand-assisted technique is safe, can be performed with low conversion rates, and confers beneficial perioperative outcomes.