Single-center comparative study of laparoscopic versus open colorectal surgery: a 2-year experience.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the change in practice from open to laparoscopic practice in our local trust, a national training colorectal unit.


METHODS
Retrospective comprehensive review of clinical case notes of all colorectal resections between October 2007 and October 2009. Patients were identified through clinical coding and data were analyzed using SPSS.


RESULTS
Comparison of 113 open versus 103 laparoscopic colorectal surgeries for various indications and short-term outcomes was made. There was an expected overall increase in the laparoscopic colorectal resections. The mean age was 73 years for open and 68 years for laparoscopic surgeries. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups with respect to age, sex, and the American Society of Anaesthesiologists. Of the 103 patients who were initially treated with laparoscopy-assisted colectomy, 12 (11.7%) were shifted to open procedures. Perioperative recovery was faster in the laparoscopic-surgery group than in the open-colectomy group, as reflected by a shorter hospital stay (median, 8 vs. 13 d). The overall complication rate was significantly less in the laparoscopy-assisted colectomy group than in the open-colectomy group (33% vs. 46%, P=0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Our local hospital practices support the many benefits of laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Substantial improvements in rates of hospital stay and wound infection were noted, hence shifting our practice safely in a district general hospital.
Department of Surgery, Laparoscopic Colorectal National Training Centre, Leighton Hospital, Cheshire, UK. omoussa@doctors.org.uk
Osama M
OM
Moussa
Raj
R
Rajaganeshan
Ayman
A
Abouleid
David J
DJ
Corless
John P
JP
Slavin
Arif
A
Khan
Heather
H
Hughes
Andrew
A
George
Chelliah R
CR
Selvasekar
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003082:Colectomy / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies