Laparoscopic resection of the colon and rectum for cancer

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopically-assisted resection for large bowel cancer is technically feasible. Sixty-six patients who had resection of the colon or rectum for cancer have been audited prospectively. METHODS: Clinical and pathological data were collected prospectively as part of the ongoing Concord Hospital colorectal cancer project. Patients were followed up for a median of 29 months. RESULTS: In 57 of 66 patients in whom laparoscopic resection was attempted the operation was completed laparoscopically. Three patients died from perioperative myocardial infarction. The median postoperative stay was 14 days. There was a high incidence of postoperative respiratory and cardiac complications. One patient developed a port-site metastasis. CONCLUSION: There was no obvious benefit from laparoscopically-assisted resection of large bowel cancer in these patients.