Background: Epidemiologic studies provide evidence for a link between disorders of lipid metabolism and the risk for colorectal cancer, hyperlipidemia is a common feature of rectal cancer patients. However, information about the effects of hyperlipidemia on rectal cancer surgery is scarce.
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether hyperlipidemia affected short-term outcomes of rectal cancer surgery, and determine the preferable surgery method based on the comparison of laparoscopic surgery and open surgery.
Methods: Clinical data of 495 rectal cancer patients who received traditional open or laparoscopic radical resection between March 2006 and December 2010 were retrospectively reviewed.
Results: Compared with normal blood lipid group (n=232), hyperlipidemia group (n=263) showed increased intraoperative bleeding (P<0.001), prolonged time for resuming food intake (P<0.001), peritoneal drainage (P<0.001), and hospital stay (P=0.019). However, there was no difference in operation time. Compared with those receiving open surgery, patients receiving laparoscopic surgery exhibited less intraoperative bleeding (P<0.001), less time for resuming food intake (P<0.001), peritoneal drainage (P<0.001), and hospital stay (P<0.001), whereas more operation time was needed (P<0.001). Among patients receiving laparoscopic surgery, no differences were shown on hospital stay, time for resuming food intake, and peritoneal drainage between hyperlipidemia group and normal blood lipid group, although more intraoperative bleeding was still presented in the hyperlipidemia group (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Hyperlipidemia has adverse effects on rectal cancer surgery. Laparoscopic surgery can eliminate postoperative recovery retardation caused by hyperlipidemia.