ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the feasibility of hand-assisted laparoscopic radical resection of rectal carcinoma and compare the short-term outcomes of HALS versus traditional laparoscopy approach.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data of 42 cases of rectal carcinoma between January 2010 and March 2011 were enrolled in this study. Nineteen cases underwent HALS total mesorectal excision and 23 cases underwent traditional laparoscopy approach.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the operations were successfully accomplished without conversions to open surgery. The mean operation time of the HALS group was shorter than that of the traditional laparoscopic group (152 min vs. 168 min, P=0.009). Incision length was significantly longer in the HALS group (5.6 cm vs. 4.5 cm, P=0.000). The median overall costs were lower in HALS group (26 000 RMB vs. 29 000 RMB, P=0.008). The number of lymph nodes in resected specimen, intra-operative blood loss, length of hospital stay, time to passage of flatus were comparable between the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery has the advantages of laparoscopic surgery including minimal invasiveness, safety, and quicker postoperative recovery.</p>