Short-term outcome of intracorporeal ileocolonic anastomosis in patients with visceral obesity

Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to compare short-term outcomes between Intracorporeal ileocolic anastomosis (IIA) and extracorporeal ileocolic anastomosis (EIA) after laparoscopic right hemicolectomy in patients with visceral obesity. The secondary objective was to identify risk factors associated with prolonged postoperative ileus (PPOI) after laparoscopic right hemicolectomy. This single-center retrospective study analyzed visceral obesity patients who underwent laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for primary bowel cancer between January 2020 and June 2023. Patients were categorized into IIA and EIA groups based on the type of anastomosis, and a 1:1 propensity score-matched analysis was performed. A total of 129 patients were initially included in this study, with 45 patients in each group following propensity score matching. The IIA group had significantly longer anastomosis times ( p < 0.001), shorter incision length ( p < 0.001), and shorter length of stay ( p = 0.003) than the EIA group. Meanwhile, the IIA group showed a shorter time to first flatus ( p = 0.044) and quicker tolerance of a solid diet ( p = 0.030). On multivariate analysis, postoperative use of opioid analgesics is an independent risk factor for PPOI (OR: 3.590 95% CI 1.033–12.477, p = 0.044), while IIA is an independent protective factor (OR: 0.195 95% CI 0.045–0.843, p = 0.029). IIA remains a safe and feasible option for visceral obesity patients. It is also associated with a quicker recovery of bowel function and shorter length of stay when compared to EIA. Additionally, IIA is an independent protective factor for PPOI.