UNLABELLED: THE AIM OF THE STUDY was to describe the authors' experience in performing laparoscopic restorative proctocolectomy with the formation of an intestinal reservoir of the J-pouch type, anal anastomosis and protective ileostomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 2004 and 2011, a total of 23 patients underwent laparoscopic restorative proctocolectomy with the formation of an intestinal reservoir of the J-pouch type, anal anastomosis and protective ileostomy for ulcerative colitis (n = 17) or familial adenomatous polyposis (n = 6). A statistical analysis of the treatment outcomes was performed. RESULTS: No intraoperative complications were observed and none of the patients required conversion or blood transfusions. The mean duration of the procedure was 4.08 hours (2.5-6.0 hours). The mean duration of hospitalization was 15.4 days (8-24 days). We observed three major postoperative complications requiring intervention: two cases of small bowel obstruction (one due to postoperative adhesions and the other due to volvulus) and one case of infection of the surgical and ostomy wound healed following ileostomy closure. CONCLUSIONS: For such extensive procedures as restorative proctocolectomy, laparoscopic techniques prove safe and are characterised by a better patient acceptance thanks to the low invasiveness and good cosmetic effects. The technological progress and the increasing experience in performing laparoscopy provide more and more arguments to support the selection of this method as the preferred method of treatment.
UNLABELLED: THE AIM OF THE STUDY was to describe the authors' experience in performing laparoscopic restorative proctocolectomy with the formation of an intestinal reservoir of the J-pouch type, anal anastomosis and protective ileostomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 2004 and 2011, a total of 23 patients underwent laparoscopic restorative proctocolectomy with the formation of an intestinal reservoir of the J-pouch type, anal anastomosis and protective ileostomy for ulcerative colitis (n = 17) or familial adenomatous polyposis (n = 6). A statistical analysis of the treatment outcomes was performed. RESULTS: No intraoperative complications were observed and none of the patients required conversion or blood transfusions. The mean duration of the procedure was 4.08 hours (2.5-6.0 hours). The mean duration of hospitalization was 15.4 days (8-24 days). We observed three major postoperative complications requiring intervention: two cases of small bowel obstruction (one due to postoperative adhesions and the other due to volvulus) and one case of infection of the surgical and ostomy wound healed following ileostomy closure. CONCLUSIONS: For such extensive procedures as restorative proctocolectomy, laparoscopic techniques prove safe and are characterised by a better patient acceptance thanks to the low invasiveness and good cosmetic effects. The technological progress and the increasing experience in performing laparoscopy provide more and more arguments to support the selection of this method as the preferred method of treatment.