Factors that predict conversion in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for Crohnʹs disease

Background To identify factors that would predict conversion in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for Crohnʹs disease. Methods Data were collected retrospectively. All procedures were performed by an experienced laparoscopic surgeon. Results Forty-eight patients underwent 57 laparoscopic procedures. Twenty-six of these procedures were for recurrent disease. The conversion rate was 42.3% (11 of 26) for recurrent disease and 13% (4 of 31) for primary disease. On univariate analysis age (P = 0.02), surgery for recurrence (P = 0.02), time from diagnosis (P = 0.03), and the presence of a clinical mass (P = 0.03) were factors that predicted conversion. On multivariate analysis these factors except time from diagnosis still remained significant. Patients who did not undergo a conversion had significantly better post operative outcomes. There was no difference in the incidence of major or minor complications or the number of resections in both groups. Conclusions The conversion rate for the whole group was 28%. The rate is higher in patients who are over 40 years of age who are undergoing procedures for recurrence.