Background: Laparoscopic resection for transverse colon cancer remains controversial. The aim of this study is to investigate the short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for transverse colon cancer.
Methods: A total of 278 patients with transverse colon cancer from a single institution were included. All patients underwent curative surgery, 156 patients underwent laparoscopic resection (LR), and 122 patients underwent open resection (OR). The short- and long-term results were compared between two groups.
Results: Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were comparable between two groups. Conversions were required in eight (5.1 %) patients. LR group was associated with significantly longer median operating time (180 vs. 140 min; P < 0.001). Median estimated blood loss was significantly less in LR group (90 vs. 100 ml; P = 0.001). Time to first flatus and oral intake was significantly earlier in LR group. Perioperative mortality and morbidity rate were not significantly different between two groups. Tumor size, number of lymph nodes harvested, length of proximal, and distal resection margin were comparable between two groups. Postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter in LR group (9 vs. 10d; P < 0.001). Five-year disease-free survival and overall survival rate were similar between two groups.
Conclusions: Laparoscopic resection for transverse colon cancer is associated with better short-term outcomes and equivalent long-term oncologic outcomes.
Keywords: Laparoscopic surgery; Morbidity; Mortality; Transverse colon cancer.