[Laparoscopic colorectal surgery in Denmark 2004-2005]

The postoperative course following colorectal surgery has improved since the introduction of "fast track surgery", and laparoscopic surgery will probably optimize the results further. The aim of this study was to evaluate the implementation of laparoscopic colorectal surgery in Denmark.

The number of laparoscopic colorectal resections performed in the period between 1 January 2004 and 1 November 2005 was obtained from the National Patient Register of the National Board of Health.

A total of 441 laparoscopic colorectal resections were performed. 350 of these were colonic resections without creation of a stoma. These operations were performed in 23 departments, of which only 5 performed more than 20 laparoscopic resections. The median length of stay was 5 days, with a mean of 6.7 days after laparoscopic colon resection.

It is not appropriate that so many departments have started using this advanced laparoscopic procedure, due to the high learning curve, cost considerations and need for international consensus. It is proposed that the treatment be coordinated nationwide in order to optimise research and clinical results.