Laparoscopic colorectal cancer resections in the obese: a systematic review

Laparoscopic colorectal cancer operations in obese patients pose technical challenges that may negatively impact oncologic adequacy. A meta-analysis was performed to assess the oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic colorectal cancer resections in obese compared to non-obese patients. Short- and long-term outcomes were assessed secondarily.

A systematic literature search was conducted from inception until October 01, 2014. Studies that compared outcomes of laparoscopic colorectal malignant neoplasms in obese and non-obese patients were selected for meta-analysis. Studies that defined obesity as body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m² were included. Oncologic, operative, and postoperative outcomes were evaluated. Pooled odds ratios (OR) and weighted mean differences (WMD) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using fixed-effects models. For oncologic and survival outcomes, a subgroup analysis was conducted for rectal cancer and a secondary analysis was conducted for Asian studies that used a BMI cutoff of 25 kg/m².

Thirteen observational studies with a total of 4550 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Lymph node retrieval, distal, and circumferential margins, and 5-year disease-free and overall survival were similar in the obese and non-obese groups. Conversion rate (OR 2.11, 95 % CI 1.58-2.81), postoperative morbidity (OR 1.54, 95 % CI 1.21-1.97), wound infection (OR 2.43, 95 % CI 1.46-4.03), and anastomotic leak (OR 1.65, 95 % CI 1.01-2.71) were all significantly increased in the obese group.

Laparoscopic colorectal cancer operations in obese patients pose an increased technical challenge as demonstrated by higher conversion rates and higher risk of postoperative complications compared to non-obese patients. Despite these challenges, oncologic adequacy of laparoscopic colorectal cancer resections is comparable in both groups.