Laproscopy technique is better than open surgery to treat ulcerative colitis

A recent study depicted that during the surgical treatment of ulcerative colitis, the minimally invasive laparoscopy technique yielded more favorable perioperative results and a better long-term quality of life due to more stable psychic status and minimized rate of late complications.

A study aimed to compare the last 13 years' results of patients managed with conventional and laparoscopic methods. Between 1 January 2005 and 31 May 2018, 89 patients (n = 41 men, n = 48 women) received surgery. In the laparoscopy and the open surgery groups, the mean age of the patients was 45.06 ± 14.4 and 39.8 ± 13.4 years respectively.

Quality of life, the general status of patients, early and late results of surgical treatment, mainly complications were assessed. No difference between the groups in hospital stay and need for transfusion were witnessed as depicted in the following table:

In the laparoscopically operated group of patients, the time to the recovery of the bowel function, the number of days spent in the intensive care unit and the occurrence of late complications, such as intestinal obstruction, septic condition, postoperative hernias, and 'other' complications were considerably lower during the follow-up period.

The laparoscopic technique yielded a remarkably better recovery of the bowel function in the case of acute operations, as shown in the following table:

Thus, in ulcerative colitis patients, the minimally invasive laparoscopy technique improves long-term quality of life and offers superior perioperative results.