Laparoscopically assisted colectomy

We present 20 cases of laparoscopically assisted colon resection. Ten patients were operated on for various benign lesions of the large bowel, and the remaining 10 for malignancy. Three fourths of the patients were over 65 years of age. The operative technique described herein involved laparoscopic mobilization of the colon and then its delivery through a relatively small incision through the anterior abdominal wall. Direct mobilization of the segment of bowel containing the malignant lesion was usually accomplished via the accessary incision made directly over the lesion. After eviscerating the specimen onto the abdominal wall, the involved segment of large intestine was resected along with its accompanying mesentery. The anastomosis was done by conventional linear stapling devices. No operative-related mortality occurred. Postoperative nasogastric tube suction was required in only one patient. Return of gastrointestinal function occurred an average of 2.5 days after the surgery. Average postoperative hospital stay was less than 5 days.