title: Gasless laparoscopy-assisted colorectal surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopy has gained wide acceptance as a treatment modality in a variety of colonic and rectal disorders. Currently, most laparoscopic procedures are performed using a carbon dioxide (CO2) pneumoperitoneum, which can lead to cardiopulmonary loading and subsequent complications. The object of this study was to assess the feasibility of gasless laparoscopy-assisted colorectal surgery (GLACS) as an alternative method.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with benign colonic lesions were enrolled in the study. The operative field was exposed with a subcutaneous wire lifting system. A small incision, ~5 cm in length, was made early in the operation. The surgeon operated through the trocar ports and this incision using both laparoscopic and conventional instruments. The cardiopulmonary responses of the patients were monitored continuously during the operation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen consecutive patients underwent GLACS. In two patients (13.3%), conversion to open surgery was necessary. The exposure and ease of the procedure were acceptable. However, when the patients were stratified into hemicolectomy and sigmoidectomy groups, GLACS scored more favorably in the sigmoidectomy group. There were no operative deaths. One minor complication developed postoperatively. All of the patients recovered uneventfully, with return of bowel function in 2.8 +/- 0.1 days. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 6.4 +/- 0.4 days. The cardiac and pulmonary status of the patients remained stable during the operation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gasless laparoscopy-assisted colorectal surgery is technically feasible; thus, it provides an alternative means for the performance of minimal-access surgery.
authors.affiliation: Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Veterans General Hospital-Taipei, 201, Sec. 2, Shih-Pai Road, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C. jkjiang@vghtpe.gov.tw
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: W S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003082:Colectomy / Q000379:methods*; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D003107:Colorectal Surgery / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative; D013525:Surgical Instruments