Total mesorectal excision by laparoscopy: a preliminary study / 中国普通外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objectives To study the feasibility of total mesorectal excision (TME) by laparoscopy for rectal cancer.Methods The mesorectum in the resected samples and the number of lymph nodes resected were compared between laparoscopic (n=20) and open surgery group (n=20).Results ①The mesorecum of resected specimen was all complete in two groups. ②The lymph node yield (N 1) in laparoscopic and open group was 8.5?3.6 vs. 10.6?6.2(P=0.334), respectively. That in N 2 was 3.7?2.2 vs. 2.4?2.1(P=0.328). That in N 3 was 2.4?1.7 vs. 2.0?1.8(P=0.590).③The distal margin was all tumor-free in the two groups. ConclusionLaparoscopy is capable of performing TME in patients with rectal carcinoma undergoing radical resection.