Laparoscopic-assisted colectomy: technique and discussion

Minimally invasive surgery has undergone rapid development over the last 20 years and has greatly impacted the field of General Surgery. Removal of the appendix and gallbladder by way of laparoscopic means has become standard in surgical training and care. More complex procedures also are becoming incorporated into surgical resident education and routine clinical practice. Colon cancer operations, previously performed by an open approach to ensure adequate resection of the specimen and draining lymph nodes, are currently being performed laparoscopically by experienced surgeons with equivalent recurrence, morbidity, and overall mortality rates. In this chapter, the technique of laparoscopic colectomy is described and advantages and disadvantages are discussed. The literature is reviewed and this technique compared with the open procedure. The authors contend that laparoscopic colectomy is a suitable, and perhaps preferable, alternative to open procedures for benign or malignant colon disease, with acceptable long-term results.