A comparison of the complication rates between laparoscopic colectomy and laparoscopic low anterior resection.
BACKGROUND
This study compared the short-term outcomes, including the complication rate and minimum surgical invasiveness, between patients with colon and rectal carcinomas, who underwent laparoscopic surgery.


METHODS
A review evaluated 151 patients who underwent laparoscopic colectomy (Lap-colectomy; n = 120) and laparoscopic low anterior resection (Lap-LAR; n = 31) between July 2001 and December 2003. The short-term outcomes were compared between the two groups.


RESULTS
The mean operative time and blood loss were significantly greater in the Lap-LAR group. However, the complication rates and postoperative course between the two approaches were similar, and no anastomotic leakage was observed. There was no significant difference in the serum C-reactive protein level and white blood cell count between the two groups in the early postoperative period.


CONCLUSIONS
Lap-LAR for rectal carcinoma can be performed safely without increased morbidity or mortality, and its short-term benefits are comparable with those conferred by Lap-colectomy.
Yamamoto
S
S
Division of Colorectal Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital, 5-1-1, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan. seyamamo@ncc.go.jp
Fujita
S
S
Akasu
T
T
Moriya
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003082:Colectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors