Publication:

Laparoscopic resections in colorectal cancers-short term and medium-term outcome with 2 years follow up

Background After decades of debate and controversy, the short-term benefits and at least equivalent long-term outcomes of laparoscopic colon surgery compared to open surgery has now been well established.

Methods In this article, short- and medium -term outcomes of patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery for cancer in a tertiary care hospital is analysed. A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of all patients who had laparoscopic management of colorectal cancer (CRC) for 3 years was done. Patients were followed up for 2 years after treatment. The prospectively collected data was analysed to find out the incidence of complications, local or distant metastases and the survival rates.

Results There were 65 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery among 120 patients who had treatment for colorectal carcinoma in the study period. The 26 patients underwent low anterior resection followed by 14 patients   and 13 patients undergoing left colonic and right colonic resections respectively. While abdominoperineal resection was carried out in 6 patients, 3 each patients were treated by ultra-low anterior resection and subtotal colectomy. Morbidities of varying grade according to Clavien Dindo classification was less for laparoscopic surgery. Recurrence occurred in 14.8% at 2 years follow up. The 2-year survival rate was noted to be 87.7%   among the study group who underwent laparoscopic surgery.

Conclusions Judicious selection of patients and the appropriate selection of technique help to achieve good short-and long-term results without compromising on oncological outcome in laparoscopic surgeries for colorectal malignancies.