title: Laparoscopic versus open surgery for rectosigmoid and rectal cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate feasibility and safety of laparoscopic surgery for rectosigmoid cancer and rectal cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty four patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for rectosigmoid cancer or rectal cancer were retrospectively evaluated. Results were compared with those of 25 patients who had open surgery at the same period. The procedures of both groups were anterior resection, low anterior resection, coloanal anastomosis, abdominoperineal resection and subtotal colectomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean operative time was significantly increased in the laparoscopic group. However, this group showed faster recovery of bowel function. There were no differences in the distal margin and yield of harvested lymph nodes of resected specimens. Although anastomotic leakage was comparable between 2 groups, surgical wound infection was significantly higher in open surgery group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic surgery for rectosigmoid cancer and rectal cancer is feasible and can be performed safely with comparable oncological clearance.
authors.affiliation: Colorectal Division, Department of Surgery, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. chucheep@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Chucheep
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sahakitrungruang
authors.forename: Jirawat
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pattana-arun
authors.forename: Kasaya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tantiphlachiva
authors.forename: Arun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rojanasakul
mesh_terms: D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D012811:Sigmoid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome