title: Oncologic outcomes after resection of rectal cancer: Laparoscopic versus open approach.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study examined outcomes of laparoscopic and open rectal cancer surgery in a community hospital setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  A community health care system cancer registry was reviewed retrospectively (2004-2007) for rectal cancer patients undergoing surgical treatment. Primary end points were rates of recurrence and survival.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both open and laparoscopic resection groups had similar demographic, treatment, and tumor characteristics. Most patients in the open resection and laparoscopic resection populations experienced no recurrence (79% vs 83%, respectively; P = .5). Overall, the groups had similar mean (88% vs 96%, respectively; P = .4) and disease-free (21 and 23 months, respectively; P = .5) survival.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In a community hospital setting, laparoscopic resection of rectal cancer was found to be as safe and effective as open resection in selected patients.
authors.affiliation: Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
authors.forename: Chitra N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Sambasivan
authors.forename: Karen E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Deveney
authors.forename: Katherine T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Morris
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003082:Colectomy / Q000379:methods; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D011336:Probability; D011351:Proctoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome