[Laparoscopic colorectal surgery: third level center experience.]

The role of laparoscopic surgery in the management of colorectal pathologies is steal unclear. Some new evidence has shown some advantages over open procedures. Because it is a technically demanding procedure, the progress is very low, and used among few colorectal surgeons.

To describe the experience of laparoscopic colorectal surgery in a third level referral center, in a fourth year period. We analyzed short and median outcomes, for benign and malignant diseases.

A retrospective review of all colorectal laparoscopic procedures was analyzed in a period between June 2003 and July 2007. Procedures for benign and malignant diseases were included.

One hundred and seventy cases were included, 52 (30%) for malignant and 118 (70%)for benign diseases. The main indication for surgery was diverticular disease followed by colorectal cancer and the most common procedure was sigmoidectomy followed by right colectomy. Conversion rate was 8.8% (15 patients) and overall morbidity and mortality were 12%, and less than 1% respectively.Oncologic results were evaluated with a median follow up of 2 years, for a loco regional recurrence rate of 6%. Mean number of nodes retrieved in the pathologic specimen were 15.69 (+/- 3.53). All malignant cases had negative margins.

Laparoscopic colorectal procedures are safe and feasible, in large volume centers showing equivalent results when comparing with open procedures evidenced in world literature,about results of oncologic cases, due to the short follow up period we can t conclude about oncologic outcomes.