RESUMEN
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the long-term results of laparoscopic and open radical resection for colorectal carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two hundred and fifteen patients with colorectal cancer from January 1996 to September 2000 were non-randomly divided into laparoscopic and open operation groups. Local recurrence, distant metastasis, 5-year survival rate and long-term postoperative complications were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Eighty-seven cases received laparoscopic resection and 128 cases received open operation. There were no statistical differences in age, sex and tumor stage between the two groups (P > 0.05). The 5-year-survival rate was 70% in open operation group, and 78% in laparoscopic group (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in the incidences of local recurrence, distant metastasis, incision seeding, and incision hernia between the two groups (P > 0.05). The complication rate of postoperative adhesive intestinal obstruction was significantly lower in laparoscopic group than that in open operation group (P< 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Long-term results of laparoscopic resection are similar to those of open resection for colorectal carcinoma, but laparoscopic surgery has less long-term complications.</p>