title: Laparoscopic-assisted versus open surgery for colorectal cancer: short- and long-term outcomes comparison.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite the theoretical advantages of laparoscopic surgery, it is still not considered the standard treatment for colorectal cancer patients because of criticism concerning oncologic stability. This study aimed at examining the short- and long-term follow-up results of laparoscopic surgery versus open surgery for colorectal cancer and at investigating clinical outcomes, oncologic safety, and any potential advantages of laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively analyzed a database containing the information about patients who underwent surgery for stage I-III colorectal cancer from January 2004 to January 2012 at our institution.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patients who underwent the laparoscopic-assisted procedure showed a significantly faster recovery than those who underwent open surgery, namely, less time to first passing flatus (P=.041), time of first bowel motion (P=.04), time to resume normal diet (P=.043), and time to walk independently (P=.031). Laparoscopic colorectal surgery caused less pain for patients, leading to lower need of analgesic (P=.002) and less hospital recovery time (P=.034), compared with patients who underwent open surgery. No differences were found in 3- and 5-year overall and disease-free survival rates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggested that the laparoscopic approach was as safe as the open alternative. Laparoscopic-assisted surgery has been shown to be a favorable surgical option with better short-term outcomes and similar long-term oncological control compared with open resection.
authors.affiliation: Section of General Surgery and Oncology, Department of General Surgery, University Medical School of Catania, Catania, Italy. abiondi@unict.it
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Biondi
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Grosso
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mistretta
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marventano
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Toscano
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gruttadauria
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Basile
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003082:Colectomy / Q000379:methods*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome