title: [Comparison of the incidence rates of anastomotic leak following lower anterior resection of rectal cancer between laparoscopic and open operation].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate and compare the incidence rates of postoperative anastomotic leak following laparoscopic (LP) versus open (OP) lower anterior resection for rectal cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-three cases of LP and 135 cases of OP lower anterior resection with rectal cancer site 5-8 cm away from anal edge were operated by the same surgeon team from Sep. 2000 to Dec. 2005. The differences of postoperative anastomotic leak of protective stomy and non-protective stomy between LP and OP groups were analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In LP group, the incidence rates of the postoperative anastomotic leak of protective stomy and non-protective stomy were 4.6% (1/22) and 6.5% (2/31) respectively (P>0.05, chi(2)=0.088). In OP group, the incidence rates were 2.3% (1/43) and 8.7% (8/92) respectively (P>0.05, chi(2)=1.024). No significant difference existed between LP and OP groups with protective stomy (P=0.455), neither did LP and OP groups without protective stomy (P=0.288).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic low anterior resection of rectal cancer is a safe procedure. It doesn't increase the incidence rate of anastomotic leak as compared to traditional open surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Union Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, China. cp3169@163.com
authors.forename: Pan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chi
authors.forename: Hui-Ming
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Zhong-Bin
authors.initials: ZB
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000601:surgery; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D054047:Surgical Stomas / Q000473:pathology