Clinical, pathologic, and economic parameters of laparoscopic colon resection for cancer

BACKGROUND: The appropriateness of laparoscopic colon resection (LCR) as tr eatment for malignancy has been questioned. METHODS: From 1992 to 1997, 91 patients were entered into a prospective stu dy of LCR for cancer. Clinical, pathologic, and economic parameters of LCR were compared in a cohort of patients matched for age, tumor stage, and typ e of colectomy who underwent open colon resection (OCR) during the same tim e period. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 26 months, there were no significant di fferences in survival rate for patients in the LCR, converted colon resecti on, and OCR groups. There were no port-site recurrences and the number of l ymph nodes harvested was similar among the procedures. Hospital stay was si gnificantly shorter if laparoscopic resection was successful. Total hospita l costs were similar for LCR and OCR; however, the costs were significantly higher for converted colon resection. CONCLUSIONS: LCR is a sound oncologic procedure that can be performed with costs similar to OCR. Am J Surg. 1998;176:554-558. (C) 1998 by Excerpta Med ica, Inc.