Phase II trial to evaluate laparoscopic surgery for Stage 0/I rectal carcinoma

Recently reported randomized controlled trials demonstrated that laparoscopic surgery (LS) was comparable or superior to open surgery with regard to the long-term outcome for colon and rectosigmoidal carcinoma; however, controversy persists with regard to the appropriateness of LS for patients with rectal carcinoma. To examine the technical and oncological feasibility of LS for rectal carcinoma, a phase II trial was started in patients with a preoperative diagnosis of Stage 0/I rectal carcinoma, under the direction of the Japan Society of Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery. Surgeons in 39 specialized institutions will recruit 350 patients. The primary end-point in the first stage is the anastomotic leakage rate by double-stapling technique and that in the second stage is overall survival. Secondary end-points are relapse-free survival, short-term clinical outcome, adverse events, the rate of histologically curative operation, the proportion of completion of LS and the conversion rate.