Randomized clinical trial of intracorporeal <i>versus</i> extracorporeal anastomosis in laparoscopic right colectomy (IEA trial)

Abstract Background Several non-randomized and retrospective studies have suggested that intracorporeal anastomosis (IA) has advantages over extracorporeal anastomosis (EA) in laparoscopic right colectomy, but scientific evidence is lacking. The aim was to compare short-term outcomes and to define the possible benefits of IA compared with EA in elective laparoscopic right colectomy. Methods An RCT was conducted from May 2015 to June 2018. The primary endpoint was duration of hospital stay. Secondary endpoints were intraoperative technical events and postoperative clinical outcomes. Results A total of 140 patients were randomized. Duration of surgery was longer for procedures with an IA than in those with an EA (median 149 (range 95–215) versus 123 (60–240) min; P &lt; 0·001). Wound length was shorter in the IA group (median 6·7 (4–9·5) versus 8·7 (5–13) cm; P &lt; 0·001). Digestive function recovered earlier in patients with an IA (median 2·3 versus 3·3 days; P = 0·003) and the incidence of paralytic ileus was lower (13 versus 30 per cent; P = 0·022). Less postoperative analgesia was needed in the IA group (mean(s.d.) weighted analgesia requirement 39(24) versus 53(26); P = 0·001) and the pain score was also lower (P = 0·035). The postoperative decrease in haemoglobin level was smaller (mean(s.d.) 8·8(1·7) versus 17·1(1·7) mg/dl; P = 0·001) and there was less lower gastrointestinal bleeding (3 versus 14 per cent; P = 0·031) in the IA group. IA was associated with a significantly better rate of grade I and II complications (P = 0·016 and P = 0·037 respectively). The duration of hospital stay was slightly shorter in the IA group (median 5·7 (range 2–19) versus 6·6 (2–23) days; P = 0·194). Conclusion Duration of hospital stay was similar, but IA was associated with less pain and fewer complications. Registration number: NCT02667860 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).