Laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer in patients with previous abdominal surgery: A comparative study

Abstract

Objective: In laparoscopic colorectal procedures, the presence of peritoneal adhesions caused by previous surgery is one of the most common reasons for conversion and is often associated with increased postoperative morbidity. However, improvements in laparoscopic technique and instruments might, to some extent, help to overcome the adverse effects of peritoneal adhesions. Therefore, the present study was designed to compare and evaluate laparoscopic rectal cancer excision in patients who had had and who had not had previous abdominal surgery. Methods: The present study was a non‐randomized comparison of patients who have had and have not had previous abdominal surgery. Data were extracted from a prospective cohort of patients who had undergone laparoscopic anterior resection for rectal cancer in one particular unit between January 1996 and May 2000. For the purpose of standardization, data on laparoscopic low anterior resection and laparoscopic abdomino‐perineal resection were not used for analysis. The measured outcomes included operation time, blood loss and length of hospital stay as well as complications and conversions.Results: Of the 91 patients recruited for analysis, 26 patients had had previous abdominal surgery (study group), whereas 65 patients had not had previous abdominal surgery (control group). The two groups had a similar age and gender distribution as well as tumour staging. The median operating times of the study group and control group (115 vs 123 min, P = 0.34), their blood loss (122 vs 144 mL, P = 0.30) and lengths of hospital stay (10 vs 11 days, P = 0.66) were similar. The complication rates (23 vs 23%, P = 0.79) and conversion rates (15.4 vs 7.7%, P = 0.55) were also similar between the two groups. Conclusion: Laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer in patients who have had previous abdominal surgery is technically safe and produces similar results to those who have not had previous abdominal surgery.