A PRELIMINARY COMPARISON OF A CONSECUTIVE SERIES OF OPEN VERSUS LAPAROSCOPIC ABDOMINOPERINEAL RESECTION FOR RECTAL ADENOCARCINOMA

Aim: To compare a consecutive series of patients who underwent laparos copic abdomino-perineal resection (LAPR) versus conventional open abdo mino-perineal resection (CAPR). Material and Methods: Sixteen patients (8 females) and 11 patients (4 females) underwent LAPR and CAPR respe ctively. Results: The median operative time was 110 (65-210) mins and 100 (80-185) mins for LAPR and CAPR respectively (P = 0.43), The media n amount of blood loss were 200 (100-1000) mls and 100 (60-800) mls fo r LAPR and CAPR respectively. There was no significant difference in t he need for post operative analgesics and time to first stoma function but the LAPR group showed significant improvement in starling fluids, diet, ambulation and discharge from hospital. Conclusion: The laparos copic technique may be an acceptable alternative to conventional abdom ino-perineal resection for the patient requiring anal resection for re ctal cancer.