Outcomes of laparoscopy combined with enhanced recovery pathway for Crohn's disease: a case-matched analysis

Abstract

To compare short-term outcomes of laparoscopic vs. open intestinal resection in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) under enhanced recovery after surgery(ERAS) program. Clinical data of 51 CD patients receiving laparoscopic surgery under ERAS program at our IBD center between January 2013 and March 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Laparoscopic cases were matched to those undergoing open surgery from June 2011 to December 2012 with age, gender, location and behavior of disease. Intraoperative and postoperative data were collected. Fifty-one laparoscopic cases were matched with 51 open cases. Laparoscopic group had a shorter median length of postoperative hospital stay (7 d vs. 9 d, P=0.034), shorter median time to first passage of gas(45 h vs. 59 h, P=0.024), shorter time to bowel movement(58 h vs. 76 h, P=0.018), less intraoperative estimated blood loss (35 ml vs. 75 ml, P=0.034) and longer median operative time (145 min vs. 105 min, P=0.003). Postoperative complications, reoperation and 30-day re-admission rates were similar and there was no mortality in the two groups. Laparoscopic surgery is a safe and acceptable option for CD patients, and it promotes recovery of gastrointestinal movement and shortens postoperative hospital stay.