The Use of Minimally Invasive Surgery in the Treatment of Crohn's Disease: A Systematic Review of Evidence

Abstract

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is a groundbreaking approach for treating Crohn's disease (CD), affecting approximately 100-300 per 100,000 people. In 2015, an estimated 3.1 million people were diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Our research aims to consolidate previous evidence on MIS techniques, including laparoscopic techniques and robotic-assisted surgery, and compare them to traditional surgical techniques in managing CD. The practical benefits of MIS are evident in comparative studies, which consistently show that laparoscopic approaches result in shorter hospital stays and faster recovery than open surgery. MIS also demonstrates significant long-term benefits, particularly in reducing the mortality rate. Even pediatric CD patients have shown improved outcomes with laparoscopic-assisted surgery, experiencing fewer postoperative complications and better recovery. MIS applications include Laparoscopic ileocolic resections, a key MIS technique, offer comparable outcomes to other therapies like open ileocolic resection but with the added advantages of lower costs and long-term disease control. This cost-effectiveness of MIS techniques is a significant advantage. Techniques like intracorporeal anastomosis and trans colonic specimen removal have further improved postoperative recovery and cosmesis. Strictureplasty is another MIS technique, is particularly beneficial for CD patients with strictures due to its ability to preserve intestinal length and function. Lastly, laparoscopic robotic-assisted surgery is a game-changer, offering a significant reduction in postoperative pain and faster recovery compared to manual surgeries.