Morbidly Obese Patients with Ileocolic Crohn’s Disease May Benefit from Robotic Surgery

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Obesity is increasing as a comorbid condition for patients requiring surgery for Crohn’s disease. Minimally invasive colectomy is ideal for a patient with combined obesity and Crohn’s disease. However laparoscopic colon resection is associated with high operative conversion rates in these cases. Data examining the use of robotic surgery in the obese patient with Crohn’s disease is sparse. METHODS: We examined the feasibility and outcomes of performing a minimally invasive colectomy using the Da Vinci robot in a prospective case series of morbidly obese patients with ileal Crohn’s disease. RESULTS: A robotic ileocolectomy was performed in four morbidly obese patients with Crohn’s disease. There were no operative conversions or complications with a median length of stay of 3 days. CONCLUSION: A robotic approach is a promising minimally invasive surgical alternative to laparoscopic surgery for these complex patients.