Laparoscopy for colorectal malignancy

Laparoscopy for colorectal pathology is technically demanding with a steep learning curve. In expert hands, there is no doubt that there is a place for laparoscopy in the operative armamentarium for the treatment of benign disease. The question of its application in the treatment of carcinoma is more difficult to address. The evidence available suggests that laparoscopic resection is a feasible and appropriate option for the treatment of colorectal carcinoma. The skill and technology to perform the procedure are developing apace, and level 1 evidence to support it is tantalizingly close. This paper will outline the development of the technique, the operative approach, and the available evidence for its use in the treatment of carcinoma.