Background/aims: The present study evaluated the short- and middle-term surgical outcomes of laparoscopic surgery (LS) for rectal carcinoma in comparison with a case-control series of open surgery (OS).
Methodology: Between February 1998 and December 2004, 47 patients with rectal carcinoma underwent LS. These patients were compared with a conventional OS group matched for age, gender, location of tumor, surgical procedure, extent of resection and pathological stage.
Results: The median follow-up period for the LS group and the OS group was 25 and 49 months, respectively. In the LS group, median operative time was significantly longer but median blood loss was lower than those in the OS group. There was one requiring conversion to OS. Postoperative intervals until liquid and solid intakes, and hospital stay were significantly shorter in the LS group. Postoperative complications rates are similar and anastomotic leakage occurred in one patient in each group. In the LS group, the levels of white blood cell count on postoperative day 1 and C-reactive protein on postoperative days 1 and 2 were significantly lower than those in the OS group.
Conclusions: LS for rectal carcinoma provides benefits during the early postoperative period without increase in morbidity or mortality.