title: A meta-analysis of the short- and long-term results of randomized controlled trials that compared laparoscopy-assisted and conventional open surgery for rectal cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate and compare the short- and long-term results of laparoscopy-assisted and open rectal surgery for the treatment of patients with rectal cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Citation Index, and the Cochrane Controlled Trial Register for relevant papers published between January 1990 and April 2011 by using the search terms "laparoscopy," "laparoscopy assisted," "surgery," "rectal cancer," and "randomized controlled trials." We analyzed outcomes over short- and long-term periods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identified 12 papers reporting results from randomized controlled trials that compared laparoscopic surgery with open surgery for rectal cancer. Our meta-analysis included 2,095 patients with rectal cancer; 1,096 had undergone laparoscopic surgery, and 999 had undergone open surgery. In the short-term period, 13 outcome variables were examined. In the long-term period, eight oncologic variables, as well as late morbidity, urinary function, and sexual function were analyzed. Laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer was associated with a reduction in intraoperative blood loss and the number of transfused patients, earlier resumption of oral intake, and a shorter duration of hospital stay over the short-term, but with similar short-term and long-term oncologic outcomes compared to conventional open surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic surgery may be an acceptable alternative treatment option to conventional open surgery for rectal cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Osaka City Sumiyoshi Hospital, Suminoe-ku, Osaka, 559-0012, Japan. m5051923@msic.med.osaka-cu.ac.jp
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ohtani
authors.forename: Yutaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tamamori
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Azuma
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.forename: Yukio
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nishiguchi
authors.forename: Kiyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Maeda
authors.forename: Kosei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hirakawa
mesh_terms: D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007902:Length of Stay; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome