Laparoscopic surgery for inflammatory bowel disease: results of the past decade.

Laparoscopic colectomy is one of the most difficult laparoscopic procedures. Surgeons attempting to perform laparoscopic surgery for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) must have significant experience with IBD and advanced laparoscopic skills. Surgical management for IBD may be treated with a range of laparoscopic procedures that vary in complexity. After 10 years of experience, studies comparing laparoscopy versus laparotomy are favoring laparoscopy when evaluating reduction in postoperative ileus, pain, and length of hospitalization, disability, and cosmesis. The indications and contraindications for laparoscopic surgery for IBD are evolving as surgical expertise and equipment improve.