Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery for cancer

Minimally invasive surgical approaches were designed to enhance quality of care and improve patient outcome by minimizing postoperative pain, shortening hospital stay, reducing costs, and facilitating early return to work and presurgical lifestyle. The hand-assisted laparoscopic approach for resection of cancer is still in its formative stage, and this review places it in proper perspective within the context of minimally invasive surgery currently being performed for both benign and malignant disease. The review also outlines the potential advantages and disadvantages, techniques, and site-specific procedures of hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery for cancer.