Laparoscopic versus open proctectomy for rectal cancer: patients' outcome and oncologic adequacy

The aim of this study was to compare laparoscopic management of rectal cancer to open surgery.

The medical records of patients who underwent elective laparoscopic or open proctectomy for rectal cancer between November 2004 and July 2006 were retrospectively reviewed.

Thirty-two patients in the laparoscopic group (LG) were matched for tumor location, stage, comorbidity, and type of surgical procedure to 50 patients in the open group (OG). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups relative to American Society of Anesthesiologists score or tumor, node, metastasis stage; however, body mass index and age of the LG were significantly lower compared with the OG (P<0.05). In the LG, the procedure was successfully laparoscopically completed in 28 patients (87.5%). The median operative time was 240 minutes in the LG and 185 minutes in the OG (P< 0.05). Overall morbidity was 25% and 38%, respectively (P=0.1), the median hospital stay was 6 days, and median time to first bowel movement was 3 days in the LG compared with 7 and 4 days in the OG, respectively (P=0.7 and 0.01, respectively). The number of identified lymph nodes, distal and radial margins were comparable between both groups. Median follow-up was 10 (1 to 18) months.

Laparoscopic proctectomy for rectal cancer is feasible in 87.5% of patients and despite a longer operative time compared with laparotomy, is safe with the advantages of faster recovery of bowel function. This procedure does not compromise the oncologic adequacy of resection or significantly differ from open proctectomy relative to short-term outcomes.