Laparoscopic Right Hemicolectomy in a Morbidly Obese Patient Using a Medial Approach with an Intracorporeal Anastomosis

Laparoscopic colectomy has been found to have a shorter length of stay, improved postoperative pain, reduced postoperative ileus, and an earlier return to work compared to open colectomy.1, 2 Most commonly, the ileocolic anastomosis is performed in an extracorporeal fashion after removal of the specimen as an "assisted" technique. Laparoscopic colon resections have been found to be safe and effective method for the treatment of colon cancer.1 Additionally, laparoscopic resections have been shown to have decreased postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay, and earlier return of bowel function compared to open surgery.2 When performing right and leftcolon resections, traditional technique entails performance of an "assisted" laparoscopic resection with an extracorporeal anastomosis, either stapled or hand-sewn.