Outcomes for case-matched laparoscopically assisted versus open restorative proctocolectomy

Background: The aim of this study was to compare safety, early and late outcomes, quality of life and functional results of laparoscopically assisted versus open ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). Methods: Patients who had laparoscopically assisted IPAA between 1992 and 2007 were identified from a database and retrospectively matched for age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and operation date to patients who had open IPAA at a ratio of 1 : 2. Intraoperative, postoperative and long-term functional outcomes were compared. Quality of life was determined by the Cleveland Global Quality of Life scale at I and 5 years. Results: A total of 119 patients (59 men, 60 women; mean(s.d) age 35.5(14.2) years, BMI 24.7(5.0) kg/m(2)) had laparoscopically assisted IPAA, with conversion in nine patients (7.6 per cent); these were compared with 238 patients who had open IPAA. The 30-day and long-term results were similar, as well as quality of life at I and 5 years, except that patients in the laparoscopic group had shorter median time to stoma action (2 versus 3 days; P = 0.001) and marginally shorter hospital stay. Median operating times were longer in the laparoscopic group (272 versus 163 min; P = 0.040). Conclusion: Laparoscopically assisted IPAA had similar outcomes to open IPAA, but with some short-term advantages.