The Effect of Resection Methods on Outcomes in Colorectal Cancers: Does Conversion Matter?

Aim: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the short- and long-term outcomes of patients undergoing conversion from laparoscopy to open surgery compared to other methods (laparoscopy and open surgery). Method: The data of 98 patients who underwent elective surgery due to colorectal cancer in a single center were retrospectively analyzed. Based on the resection method, patients were divided into three groups: laparoscopy (n=44), open (n=43), and conversion (n=11). The demographic characteristics, comorbidity, colonic localization, colonic transit properties, preoperative metastasis, resection type, morbidity and mortality, lymph node metastasis, stage, follow-up duration, recurrence, and overall survival data were recorded and compared. Results: The morbidity incidence was highest in the conversion group (63.6%) (p=0.012). There was no statistical difference in the morbidity subgroup analyses between laparoscopy and open surgery groups (p=0.752), whereas the incidence of morbidity in the conversion group was statistically higher than both the laparoscopy and open surgery groups (p=0.009 and p=0.025, respectively). During follow-up, recurrence was observed in two patients (4.50%) in the laparoscopy group and in two patients (4.50%) in the open surgery group. There was no difference in one, two, and three-year survival rates among the three groups. Conclusion: In colorectal cancers, morbidity is observed more frequently in patients in the early stage of the disease who undergo conversion; however, with regard to short- and long-term oncological outcomes, there is no difference between resection methods.