Factors associated with postoperative morbidity, reoperation and readmission rates after laparoscopic total abdominal colectomy for ulcerative colitis

AimThe aim of this study was to evaluate factors affecting postoperative outcomes after laparoscopic total abdominal colectomy (TAC) with end ileostomy (EI) for ulcerative colitis (UC). MethodPatients undergoing laparoscopic TAC/EI for severe UC/indeterminate colitis in our institution between 1998 and 2010 were retrospectively identified from a prospectively established database. Demographics, disease characteristics and perioperative outcomes were recorded. Associations between the 30-day postoperative outcome and patient-, disease- and treatment-related variables were assessed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. ResultsTwo hundred and four patients (105 men, median age 35.5years) were identified. The conversion rate was 4.4%. Median blood loss and operation time were 100ml and 185min. Length of hospital stay was 5.84.4days. Overall postoperative morbidity, reoperation and readmission rates were 40, 7 and 17%, respectively Preoperative treatment with high steroid doses was significantly associated with postoperative morbidity on multivariate analysis (P=0.011). Univariate analysis showed that lower preoperative body mass index (BMI), haemoglobin, serum albumin level and pancolitis were associated with reoperation, of which a lower BMI (P=0.043) was also independently significant on multivariate analysis. No specific factor was significantly associated with readmission. ConclusionPreoperative clinical deterioration is associated with an adverse outcome after laparoscopic TAC for UC.