Aim: To compare the clinical and oncological outcomes of laparoscopic and open approaches in patients with advanced rectal cancer.
Patients and methods: In this study, 78 patients who underwent surgery for advanced middle and lower rectal cancer (pStage II - III) were divided into two groups according to type of surgical approach: laparoscopic surgery (LS group; n=40) and open surgery (OS group: n=38). The clinical outcomes and oncological outcomes were compared between the two groups.
Results: The operation time was comparable, whereas operative blood loss and complication rates were significantly less in the LS group compared to the OS group. Cancer-specific survival (CSS) and local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) were similar in the two groups. Disease-free survival (DFS) was better in the LS group than in the OS group.
Conclusion: LS for advanced rectal cancer was safe and not inferior to OS in clinical and oncological outcomes.
Keywords: Laparoscopic surgery; advanced stage; rectal cancer; total mesorectal excision.
Copyright© 2016 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.