Laparoscopic colorectal surgery for cancer - Intermediate to long-term outcomes - Reply

PURPOSE: Since 1991, a laparoscopic-assisted resection has been used at the Royal Brisbane Hospital selectively for patients with colorectal cancer. This article audits the intermediate to long-term postoperative complications and cancer follow-up data. METHODS: All patients undergoing a laparoscopic resection for cancer were prospectively followed up with regard to long-term outcomes. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-one patients have been studied. One hundred fifty-four patients had potentially curative procedures performed in the study period. Median follow up was 71 (range, 7-108) months. The overall recurrence rate in this group was 6 percent (21 recurrences). There was one port site recurrence after a potentially curative procedure (0.6 percent) and one port site recurrence after a palliative resection. Perioperative mortality was 1 percent (2 patients). Only six patients suffered an adhesive small-bowel obstruction postoperatively. There was one incisional hernia. Unadjusted five-year median survival data for Australian Clinico-pathological Staging A was 91 percent (3.5 percent recurrence); for Australian Clinico-pathological Staging B, 83 percent (15 percent recurrence); and for Australian Clinico-pathological Staging C, 74 percent (26 percent recurrence). CONCLUSION: In selected patients a laparoscopic resection for colorectal cancer produces acceptable intermediate to long-term oncologic outcomes and a low long-term complication rate.