Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery ; District General Hospital Experience

.. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of laparoscopic colorectal procedures performed in a district general hospital within 5 years period and to compare it with patients who had an open procedure during the same period. Patients and Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from patient’s case notes retrieved from hospital medical records. One hundred consecutive cases of laparoscopic colonic resection including both benign and malignant diseases between 2005 and 2010 were analysed for perioperative and long term outcome and were compared with consecutive one hundred cases of open colectomies. Results: Overall conversion rate was 6% for laparoscopic group. The mean major complication rates in laparoscopic group were 5% (3% in open group) and minor complications occurred in 18% (28% in open group). There was no mortality in either group. The overall morbidity rate was 23% in laparoscopic group as compared to 31% in open colectomy group. In 64 cases, curative laparoscopic resections were performed for colorectal malignancy while 72 patients had resections for cancer in open group. The mean lymph node harvest in laparoscopic group was 13.2 nodes as compared to 12.4 in open group; no port-site recurrence was documented at a mean follow-up of 26 months. Average duration of surgery was 180 minutes as compared to 140 minutes in open group. Mean postoperative hospital stay was reduced from 13 days to 7 days. (Open Vs. Lap). There was no statistically significant difference in major complication rates and mortality. Conclusions: Laparoscopic colorectal surgery is safe and feasible in elective colorectal cases and reduces the hospital stay without any added morbidity.