IS LAPAROSCOPIC ASSISTED COLORECTAL SURGE RY FOR CANCER EQUAL TO OPENOPERATION REGARDING RADICALITY OF RESECTION

Minimal invasive surgery is applicable to almost all colorectal operat ions, with major benefit for the patient. Technically even cancer oper ations can be performed. However, in laparoscopic assisted colorectal surgery the question of radicality outweighs that of performability an d patient comfort. From a prospective series of 88 laparoscopic colore ctal operations, 36 were for carcinoma. 34 patients who underwent conv entional surgery were matched with regard to age, sex, type of operati on and tumor stage (TNM, grading) to compare the two techniques. The t wo interventions followed exactly the same guidelines. We compared the length of the fixed spezimes, the number of resected lymphnodes and t he need for blood transfusions. Postoperative complications were noted and follow-up was 3-12 months. The data obtained showed no difference between the two treatment groups, with a slight trend towards laparos copic surgery with regard to number of resected lymphnodes. A portside metastasis was observed 9 months after an initial tumor stage T4N1M1. The close relation between the portside and infiltration of the adeno carcinoma into the abdominal wall together with a drain placed through this whole was suspected to be the cause of this complication. We con clude that laparoscopic assisted colorectal surgery for cancer is equa l to open operation regarding radicality of resection. Long term resul ts are mandatory to determine the value of minimal invasive surgery in the field of oncology.