title: Laparoscopic total colectomy using left-to-right dissection: comparison with the conventional open approach.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We compare the results of laparoscopic total colectomy using left-to-right dissection versus the open approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic total colectomy using left-to-right dissection for familial adenomatous polyposis or synchronous colorectal cancer, were matched with 28 patients who underwent an open approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No patients who underwent the laparoscopic procedure were converted to the open technique. The estimated blood loss was significantly lower in the laparoscopic group than in the open group (P=0.008). Although the operating time in the laparoscopic group was significantly longer (P<0.001), bowel function returned to the patients in this group 2 days sooner on average (P<0.001), and these patients were able to tolerate a soft diet 1 day earlier than the open group (P=0.005). There were no significant differences in postoperative complications between the 2 groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic total colectomy using the left-to-right approach may be an alternative to open surgery for surgeons experienced with the laparoscopic technique.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital and Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Jung Wook
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Huh
authors.forename: Hyeong Rok
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D011125:Adenomatous Polyposis Coli / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003082:Colectomy / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D055815:Young Adult