ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Laparoscopic surgery is accepted as a standard alternative to open procedures in the management of both benign and malignant colorectal disease. However, the safety and efficacy of the laparoscopic approach for emergency colorectal surgery has not been established. Hand-assisted laparoscopic (HAL) surgery might be a suitable option for colectomy in an emergency setting. The aim of this study was to report our experience of emergency HAL colectomy. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of consecutive colorectal emergency cases that were treated using HAL colectomy. Patient demographics, indications for surgery, operative details, and postoperative complications were examined. RESULTS: From March 2015 to April 2016, 18 patients underwent emergency HAL colectomy for complicated colorectal disease. Eight patients (44%) had an obstruction that required intraoperative decompression procedure. Sixteen patients (89%) had a perforation (five of which were sealed perforations involving large abscesses and inflammatory changes). Eight patients underwent sigmoidectomy, four underwent anterior resection, one underwent low anterior resection, two underwent left hemicolectomy, and three underwent Hartmann's procedure. There were two instances of open conversion (11%). The median duration of surgery was 178 minutes. The median time to bowel function recovery and median postoperative stay were 3 days and 10 days, respectively. The postoperative complication rate associated with the operation was 33% (6/18). There was one postoperative mortality. CONCLUSION: For the experienced surgeon, HAL can be a reasonable option for emergency colorectal surgery.