Laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy for chronic diverticular disease.

Background: The feasibility of laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy for diverticular disease has now been well established. We report herein our experience with laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy in 100 patients who underwent laparoscopic colectomy for chronic diverticular disease.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed of a 7-year period from January 1995 to June 2002. Chronic diverticular disease was treated with laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy in 100 patients. The setting was a community hospital. All cases were performed by 1 of 2 colorectal surgeons. All laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy patients received lighted ureteral stents placed preoperatively that were removed at the end of surgery.

Results: Mean age was 61.6 years. The male to female ratio was 38:62. The mean estimated blood loss was 138 mL, liquid diet was tolerated for 2.4 days, and hospital length of stay was 4.6 days. The mean operative time for laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy was 196 minutes. Relative complications for laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy are as follows: anastomotic leak in 2 (3.0%) patients, hematuria in 95 (95%) with an average duration for 3.1 days, urinary tract infection in 6 (6%), and ureteral injury in 1 (1%). The mean operating room charges in the laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy patients was dollars 9,643.

Conclusion: We recommend laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy as the modality of treatment for chronic diverticular disease. Laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy appears to be a reliable, safe, and efficacious treatment modality for chronic diverticular disease. The operative time for laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy is decreasing as surgeons gain more experience.