title: Laparoscopic resection of extraperitoneal rectal cancer: a comparative analysis with open resection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of laparoscopic surgery with those of open resection in patients with extraperitoneal rectal cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five hundred forty-four patients with extraperitoneal rectal cancer who underwent curative resection between 1996 and 2007 were included. Patients were divided into a laparoscopic surgery group (LAP, n = 170) and an open surgery group (OPEN, n = 374).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Morbidity requiring surgical correction was 5.8% in the LAP group and 4.8% in the OPEN group (p = 0.75). The anastomotic leakage rate was similar in both groups (5.7% in both; p = 0.98). Differences were found in preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) (LAP group 4.6 ng/ml, OPEN group 7.7 ng/ml, p = 0.001), sphincter preservation (LAP group 82.9%, OPEN group 69.8%, p = 0.001), and mean distance from anal verge (LAP group 4.6 cm, OPEN group 5.2 cm, p = 0.002). Local recurrence and metastasis were similar by stage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study show that laparoscopic resection of extraperitoneal rectal cancer was safe and effective.
authors.affiliation: Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyungpook National University Hospital, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, 50 Samduk-dong 2ga Jung-gu, Daegu, South Korea. ijpark7@gmail.com
authors.forename: In Ja
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Gyu-Seog
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Kyung-Hoon
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Byung-Mo
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Soo-Han
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Jun
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018450:Disease Progression; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007813:Laparotomy; D007978:Levamisole / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D005641:Tegafur / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005641:Tegafur; D007978:Levamisole; D005472:Fluorouracil