Single Port Laparoscopic Surgery for Complex Crohn's Disease Is Safe with a Lower Conversion Rate

Purpose: Single port laparoscopic surgery (SPLS) is a technique which is increasing in popularity. The benefit of SPLS in complex Crohn's disease (CD), which includes a significant cohort of young patients sometimes needing multiple operations, has not been comprehensively assessed. This study analyses our early experience with this technique. Methods: Patients who underwent SPLS for CD were included. Data were collected prospectively from January 2013 to December 2015. Ileocolic resections, right hemicolectomy, small bowel stricturoplasties, and resections were included in the complex CD cohort. Primary and redo operations were analyzed separately. Results: Forty-five patients were included in the study (39 ileocolic resections and 6 small bowel stricturoplasty/resections). Of the total, 27 were primary resections and 18 were redo resections. The median age was 41 years (range 14-72 years), and the median hospital stay was 8 days (range 3-28 days). The total complication rate was 35.5% most of which were Clavien-Dindo type 1 and 2. There was no difference in operating time, average blood loss, conversion rates, complication rate, and hospital stay, between those who had primary or redo surgery. Conclusions: SPLS can be performed safely in patients with complex CD even in redo surgery. There may be some technical advantages to the procedure in this group of patients.