Laparoscopic rectal surgery: does immediate outcome differ in respect to sex?

Area of Science:

• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Surgical Oncology
• Colorectal Surgery

Background:

• Laparoscopic surgery is increasingly used for rectal cancer treatment.
• Understanding potential sex-based differences in outcomes is crucial for personalized patient care.
• Previous studies have yielded mixed results regarding sex disparities in surgical outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the immediate postoperative outcomes of laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery.
• To compare outcomes between male and female patients undergoing this procedure.

Main Methods:

• A study of 239 patients with rectal cancer (<15 cm from anal margin) undergoing laparoscopic surgery.
• Exclusion criteria included anesthetic contraindications, advanced tumors (T4), pancolonic polyposis, and ulcerative colitis.
• Data analyzed included demographics, operative details, complications (Dindo classification), and histopathology, with statistical comparisons based on patient sex.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant differences were observed between sexes regarding mortality, conversion rates, anastomotic leakage, overall morbidity, or reintervention.
• A trend towards longer operative times in men was noted, which was statistically significant in the overall series and low anterior resection subgroup.
• Men experienced a statistically significant longer postoperative hospital stay after anterior resection compared to women.

Conclusions:

• Laparoscopic approach to rectal cancer demonstrates comparable perioperative outcomes between men and women.
• Minor differences in operative time and hospital stay observed in men do not appear to represent significant clinical disparities.
• The findings support the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic rectal surgery irrespective of patient sex.