Laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of rectal cancer: short-term results.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to establish the efficiency, safety and feasibility of laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer by assessing the short-term outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective clinical study, from 2008 to 2011, 60 patients with laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer were included, treated in "Prof. Dr. Octavian Fodor" Gastroenterology and Hepatology Institute, Department of Surgery and Surgery Clinic I, Cluj-Napoca.

RESULTS: Surgical procedures included 38 abdominal-perineal resections, 21 anterior resections and 1 Hartmann procedure. Average blood loss was 250 ml (100-800 ml) and median length of postoperative hospital stay was 9 days (4-91 days). Blood loss was significantly higher in patients with low rectal cancer than those with upper rectal cancer (300 ml vs 200 ml, p=0.031). Conversion to open surgery was required in 8 patients (13.3%). Overall postoperative complications were 28.8%. Positive circumferential margins occurred in 1 patient (1.7%), while distal margins were negative in all patients.

CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic surgery is safe and feasible in selected patients with rectal cancer, with favorable shortterm results.