[Evaluation of short-term efficacy and safety after laparoscopic resection for mid-low rectal cancer]

To investigate the safety, feasibility and short-term efficacy of laparoscopic surgery in patients with middle-low rectal cancer.

From January 2008 to January 2010, a total of 108 patients with middle-low rectal cancer at Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Affiliated Tumor Hospital, Xinjiang Medical University were divided into 2 groups by different treatments: laparoscopic resection group (LR, n = 63) and conventional open resection group (OR, n = 45). The choice of two surgical options was based on patient's desire. The outcomes of two patient groups with radical surgery were prospectively evaluated.

Seven cases were converted into open surgery from the laparoscopic group. The operative durations in the LR and OR groups were (246 ± 57) min and (229 ± 53) min respectively (P > 0.05). The laparoscopic group had a lesser amount of blood loss during surgery ((51 ± 20) ml vs (110 ± 41) ml, P < 0.05). The time needed for the recovery of gastrointestinal functions in the laparoscopic group was significantly shorter than that in the open surgery group ((3.0 ± 0.8) d vs (3.7 ± 1.3) d, P < 0.05). In terms of the length of specimen, the range of radical surgery and the rate of complication, no significant difference were found between two groups (all P > 0.05). The numbers of dissected lymph nodes were 13 and 12 cases respectively (P > 0.05). No instance of incision implantation, local recurrence or short-term death was found in neither group. There was 2 cases with lung metastasis in the LR group and 2 cases with the metastasis of liver and lung in the OR group.

As a safe, feasible, effective and mini-invasive with similar radical resection and satisfactory short-term outcomes, laparoscopic surgery for low-middle rectal cancer has better prospects in the future.