Minimally invasive techniques in colon surgery

With the description of the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 1985, minimally invasive approaches have become the standard practice of surgeons in managing several disease processes. This has been mainly driven by the significant favorable impact of minimally invasive surgery on patient related outcomes. Smaller incisions lead to improved cosmesis, reduced postoperative pain and earlier return of gastrointestinal function. These factors in turn contribute to a faster recovery of the patient (compared to similar open procedures) with a reduced utilization of hospital resources, reduced costs and earlier return of the patient to normal routines of daily life and work. With experience it is clear that these favorable patient outcomes can also be seen with minimally invasive surgery for various colonic diseases and procedures. Many of the early concerns regarding minimally invasive approaches such as port site recurrence and the feasibility of adequate oncologic resections have been laid to rest by multiple randomized trials. There are now documented benefits to minimally invasive approaches for colonic diseases such as cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and diverticular disease; as long as surgeons choose the appropriate patients and spend the time and resources needed to become proficient at these advanced procedures.