Laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection: initial follow-up results

An observational prospective cohort study was made to evaluate the results of laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection, in terms of recurrence and patient survival. Fifty consecutive patients were analyzed, subjected to abdominoperineal amputations of the rectum (n = 10), anterior rectal resection (n = 13), rectosigmoidectomy (n = 18), and other colectomies (right, left, segmentary) (n = 9). Mean follow-up was 21 months (maximum, 42 months). The tumors corresponded to stage I (TNM classification of the International Union Against Cancer) in 6 cases, stage II in 17, stage III in 18, and stage IV in 9 cases. Survival in stages I-IV was 100, 92, 79, and 18%, respectively, with a disease-free survival rate of 100, 70, and 49% in stages I-III, respectively. Recurrence was pelvic in four cases, with multiple growths, peritoneal carcinomatosis, lung metastases, and implantation in the port scar in one case each. To conclude, survival after a maximum follow-up period of 42 months was found to be acceptable and similar to the percentages reported in the literature for open surgery.