Laparoscopic Resection for Colorectal Cancer: An Australian Perspective

Abstract

Laparoscopic colectomy for both benign and malignant conditions has been performed in many institutions worldwide. Because of its recent inception, there has been little data available about follow-up in cancer patients. This prospective study assesses the operating statistics, postoperative complications, and long-term outcomes for 128 patients with colorectal cancer who were treated selectively with laparoscopic surgery. Median operating times for right hemicolectomy, anterior resection, and abdominoperineal resection were 3 hours, 3.3 hours, and 3.5 hours, respectively. For right hemicolectomy and anterior resection patients, the median postoperative stay was 6 days. This stay was 9 days for abdominoperineal patients. Open conversion occurred in 9 patients (7%). 30 patients suffered from some postoperative morbidity (23%). Of 102 potentially curative procedures, there have been 9 recurrences (8.8%) to date. Fifteen patients have died. There is a low incidence of intestinal ileus (3%) and wound infection (1.8%).