Cosmesis and body image after laparoscopic-assisted and open ileocolic resection for Crohn's disease

The objectives of this study were to evaluate body image, cosmetic results, and quality of life in patients with Crohn's disease of the terminal ileum who had either laparoscopic-assisted or open ileocolic resection, and to determine how patients experienced the pre- and postoperative periods after both procedures. Thirty-four patients participated: 11 patients after open resection (OR), 11 patients after laparoscopic-assisted resection (LR), and 12 patients without resection (WR). Retrospectively, the patients filled out several questionnaires pertaining to body image, hospital experiences, and quality of life. One-way analysis of variance, Student's t-tests, and Pearson's correlation were used for statistical analysis. The cosmetic score was significantly higher in the LR than in the OR group (p < 0.01). Body image correlated strongly with cosmesis and with quality of life. The hospital experiences of the laparoscopic and open groups were similar. Laparoscopic surgery was associated with better cosmesis than open surgery. Patients do not experience laparoscopic surgery any differently from open surgery.