[Laparoscopy-assisted colon surgery--overview and personal experiences with 64 patients]

The number of laparoscopic or laparoscopic-assisted operations in abdominal surgery constantly increases. 64 patients between February 1992 and November 1993 underwent a laparoscopic assisted colorectal procedure. In 5 cases laparotomy was necessary. There were only 4 complications: one subileus treated conservatively and one peritoneal abscess was drained successfully under sonographic guidance; furthermore there were a postoperative pneumonia and a prolapse of the greater omentum in the area pierced by a 10 mm-trocar. The oncologic criteria for the resection of malignant tumours can be fulfilled in laparoscopic surgery. Our first experiences indicate that the advantages for the patient in laparoscopic procedures of the colon/rectum are the same as have been reported in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.