[Does laparoscopic colonic carcinoma surgery satisfy the radicality criteria of open surgery?]

Minimal invasive surgery is applicable to almost all colorectal operations, with major benefit for the patient. Technically even cancer operations can be performed. However, in laparoscopic assisted colorectal surgery the question of radicality outweighs that of performability and patient comfort. From a prospective series of 88 laparoscopic colorectal operations, 36 were for carcinoma. 34 patients who underwent conventional surgery were matched with regard to age, sex, type of operation and tumor stage (TNM, grading) to compare the two techniques. The two interventions followed exactly the same guidelines. We compared the length of the fixed specimens, the number of resected lymph nodes and the need for blood transfusions. Postoperative complications were noted and follow-up was 3-12 months. The data obtained showed no difference between the two treatment groups, with a slight trend towards laparoscopic surgery with regard to number of resected lymph nodes. A portside metastasis was observed 9 months after an initial tumor stage T4N1M1. The close relation between the portside and infiltration of the adenocarcinoma into the abdominal wall together with a drain placed through this whole was suspected to be the cause of this complication. We conclude that laparoscopic assisted colorectal surgery for cancer is equal to open operation regarding radicality of resection. Long term results are mandatory to determine the value of minimal invasive surgery in the field of oncology.