Abstract
Laparoscopic procedures for colon neoplasms have the potential to reduce hospital recovery time and costs and to increase patient quality of life postoperatively. Laparoscopic colectomy for potentially curable colon carcinoma is in its developmental phase. Several studies show that this procedure is feasible, but a randomized trial of open versus laparoscopic colectomy is necessary to prove that (1) survival is equivalent, (2) cost-savings exist, and (3) quality of life is better with the laparoscopic approach. Such a cost-effective analysis will be necessary to provide convincing data that there is value-added benefit to this procedure.
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