title: A case-control study of laparoscopic right hemicolectomy vs. open right hemicolectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of our study was to examine all laparoscopic right hemicolectomies performed for cancer in our unit and to compare them with a case-control series of open right hemicolectomies, with emphasis on long-term survival.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a retrospective case-control series of right hemicolectomies, those done laparoscopically were compared with an age-matched and stage-matched series of patients who underwent open surgery. Survival was analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety-nine patients were included in the study, 33 laparoscopic and 66 open. Mean age 69.7 years. Dukes staging was the same between the two groups and mean follow-up period was 65.7 months. There were six laparoscopic conversions. The number of days patients were kept nil by mouth was significantly less in the laparoscopic cohort, with a mean of 2.4 days vs. a mean of 3.65 days (P = 0.005, Mann-Whitney U test). The number of days during which patients required parenteral opiates was significantly less in the laparoscopic cohort, with a mean number of days of 2.5, in contrast to 4.5 days in the open group (P = 0.008, Mann-Whitney U test). When overall survival was compared between the open and laparoscopic groups, no difference was found, with a mean overall survival of 40 months in the laparoscopic cohort and 39.4 months in the open cohort (P = 0.348, log-rank test).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for cancer does not compromise long-term survival and affords the advantage of a shorter period of postoperative ileus and decreased analgesia requirements.
authors.affiliation: Academic Surgical Unit, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, Hull, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Richard P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: Liviu V
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Titu
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Hartley
authors.forename: Peter W R
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: John R T
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Monson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003082:Colectomy / Q000379:methods*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D007813:Laparotomy; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis