Outcome of laparoscopic colectomy in colorectal cancer at South Egypt Cancer Institute: a randomized controlled study

Background: The short and long-term results of a laparoscopic resection for colorectal cancer have been reported in several studies, but reports on the results of laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer are limited.
Aim of the study: This study aimed to assess the short term outcomes of laparoscopic assisted colorectal resections in comparison with conventional open resections.
Methods: 20 patients assigned to undergo elective laparoscopic assisted resection of primary colon and rectal cancer matched with 20 cases of colorectal cancer patients with the same epidemiological data (age, site, stage and histological grade) to whom conventional open resections was done in the period from March 2010 to September 2013.The following data were collected and analyzed: preoperative data (individual patient data, indication for surgery), intraoperative data (conversion to open surgery, operative time, complication rate), postoperative data
(oncological parameters: length of removed specimen; safety margin; retrieved lymph nodes, post operative pain,
recovery of gastrointestinal tract functions, morbidity, mortality and length of hospital stay)
Results: There were significant decrease in postoperative pain, rapid recovery of pulmonary and GIT functions,
decreased hospital stay in the laparoscopic group compared to the conventional group.
Conclusion: Laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer is a good alternative for open surgery with favorable short
term outcomes of surgery and reasonable oncologic results.