title: Current status in laparoscopic colorectal surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic techniques are being applied with increasing frequency to surgery of both small and large intestines.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This review article was undertaken to analyze the current direction of laparoscopic colorectal surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most feasible procedures are diagnostic laparoscopy, construction of intestinal stomas, rectopexy, and limited resections for benign conditions. Resections for Crohn's disease, especially extensive resections, and colorectal cancer are complex and should be considered investigational.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The role for use of laparoscopic techniques in colorectal surgery will expand greatly in the next several years.
authors.affiliation: Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio 44195, USA.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Milsom
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Casillas
mesh_terms: D011125:Adenomatous Polyposis Coli / Q000601:surgery; D000818:Animals; D003106:Colon / Q000601:surgery*; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000601:surgery; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008297:Male; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery*