Comparison of surgical complication rate between laparoscopic and open radical resection for colorectal cancer

Abstract

To compare the surgical complication rate between laparoscopic and open radical resection for colorectal cancer. From September 2000 to December 2005, 491 cases with colorectal cancer were divided into two groups prospectively and nonrandomly,and received radical laparoscopic operation (LP, n=214) and open operation (OP, n=277). The intra- and post-operative complication rate were compared between the two groups. In laparoscopic groups, 14 cases (6.54%,14/214) were converted to open surgery,because of intra-operative complications in 7 cases,obesity or large tumors in 5 cases,narrow- pelvis in one case and retroperitoneal tumor in one case. The intra-operative complication rate was 4.8% (10/207) in LP group and 3.6% (10/277) in OP group (P > 0.05, chi2=0.446). There were no differences in post- operative intestinal obstruction, stoma leak, stoma bleeding, chyle leak, pulmonary infection except incision infection(5.5% vs 14.1%, P< 0.05) between LP and OP groups. The overall postoperative complication rate was 23.5% (47/200) in LP group and 36.8% (102/277) in OP group (P< 0.01, chi2=9.598). There is no difference in intra-operative complication rate between LP and OP groups,but the post-operative complication rate is significantly lower in LP group than that in OP group.