Total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer: laparoscopic versus open approach

AIMS AND BACKGROUNDTo evaluate the oncologic safety of laparoscopic total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer. Methods and study design. Patients who underwent laparoscopic (n = 256) or open (n = 173) total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer between June 2005 and June 2011 were included. Long-term survival operative data and postoperative recovery were retrospectively reviewed from a prospectively collected database. RESULTSNo significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of age, sex, tumor stage and preoperative comorbidities. Twelve patients were converted to open procedures. Differences were found in blood loss (55 ± 14.1 vs 152 ± 29.2 ml P