Long-term outcomes following laparoscopically assisted versus open ileocolic resection for Crohn's disease

Background: Long-term results of laparoscopically assisted versus open ileocolic resection for Crohn's disease were evaluated in a randomized trial. Methods: Sixty patients who underwent ileocolic resection between 1999 and 2003 were followed prospectively. Primary outcomes were reoperation, readmission and repeat resection rates for recurrent Crohn's disease. Secondary outcomes were quality of life (QOL), body image and cosmesis. Results: Five patients were lost to follow-up. Median follow-up was 6.7 (interquartile range 5.7-7.9) years. Sixteen of 29 and 16 of 26 patients remained relapse free after ileocolic resection in the laparoscopic and open groups respectively (risk difference 6 (95 per cent confidence interval -20 to 32) per cent). Resection of recurrent Crohn's disease was necessary in two of 29 versus three of 26 patients (risk difference 5 (-11 to 20) per cent). Overall reoperation rates for recurrent Crohn's disease, incisional hernia and adhesion-related problems were two of 29 versus six of 26 (risk difference 16 (-3 to 35) per cent). QOL was similar, whereas body image and cosmesis scores were significantly higher after laparoscopy (P = 0.029 and P < 0.001 respectively). Conclusion: Laparoscopically assisted ileocolic resection results in better body image and cosmesis, whereas open surgery is more likely to produce incisional hernia and obstruction.