Laparoscopic Resection for Colorectal Cancer: An Australian Perspective

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, 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%).