Intracorporeal ileocolic anastomosis in patients with laparoscopic right hemicolectomy

Background Since the introduction of laparoscopic colorectal surgery, there has been a controversy between creating an intracorporeal or extracorporeal ileocolic anastomosis in right hemicolectomy. The purpose is to report our experience in intracorporeal anastomosis following right hemicolectomy in both malignant and benign pathologies. Study design A retrospective review of a prospectively collected database was conducted at Virgen de la Arrixaca Clinical University Hospital (Murcia) between January 2000 and April 2014. The study includes all surgery patients who received a laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with an intracorporeal ileocolic anastomosis. The criteria for exclusion were conversion to open surgery during the procedure due to technical difficulties during dissect. Tumours considered T4 were not excluded, nor were stage IV patients or those with a history of previous abdominal surgery. Results There were 173 patients (63 females) aged 67 (range 14-91) years, with body mass index of 27 (17-52) kg/m(2) and ASA 1:2:3:4 of 12:78:68:15; 41 % had previous abdominal surgery and 70 % had a pre-existing comorbidity. Operating time was 142 (60-270) min. Specimen extraction site incision length was 8.1 (6-11.1) cm. Conversion rate was 9.2 %, and there were 39 complications (22.54 %) and 9 reoperations (5.2 %). Readmission rate was 5.2 %. Length of stay was 5.7 (1-35) days. Conclusion The intracorporeal procedure is a safe and feasible alternative for creating an ileocolic anastomosis. It involves a similar rate of complications and may prevent some of the drawbacks presented by extracorporeal anastomosis.