Efficacy of laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer / 中华消化外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the safety and clinical outcome of laparoscopic resection of rectal cancer. Methods The clinical data of 347 patients with rectal cancer who were admitted to the Shanxi Tumor Hospital from May 2004 to July 2008 were prospectively analyzed. Of all the patients, 343 met the inclusion criteria,and they were randomly allocated to laparoscope group (n = 169) and open group (n= 174). The diameter of the tumors, number of lymph node dissected, length of rectum resected, morbidity, the mean operation time, number of patients receiving blood transfusion, time to out-of-bed activity, first flatus, bowel movement and liquid diet were observed. All data were analyzed using the t test and chi-square test. The survival rate was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results The diameter of the tumors, number of lymph node dissected, length of rectum resected and number of patients receiving blood transfusion in the laparoscope group were (4.3 ± 1.3 ) cm, 7 ± 5,(19.1±2.2)cm and 4, and they were (4.2±1.3)cm, 7 ±5, (19.0±2.3)cm and 8 in the open group,respectively, with no significant difference between the two groups ( t = 0. 629, - 0. 726, 0. 562, x2 = 1. 264,P ＞0.05). The mean operation time in the laparoscope group was 19 minutes longer than that in the open group (t = 7. 904, P ＜ 0.05 ). The time to out-of-bed activity, first flatus, bowel movement and liquid diet in the laparoscope group were 0.6, 0.3, 0.3 and 0.6 days earlier than those in open group( t = - 6. 392, - 3.581, - 3. 802,- 3. 493, P ＜ 0.05 ). There were no significant differences in postoperative infection, anastomotic leakage, intestinal obstruction and deep vein thrombosis between the two groups ( x2 = 0. 236, 0. 354, 0. 000, 0. 000, P ＞0.05). A total of 167 patients in the laparoscope group and 172 patients in the open group had been followed upuntil 1 may, 2010. The 1-, 2-year survival rates were 94.0% and 82.6% in the laparoscope group and 95.3% and 91.2% in the open group. There was no significant difference in the 2-year survival between the two groups (x2 =0.541, P ＞0.05). The survival time of the patients in the laparoscope group and open group were 55.9 and 57.9 months, respectively. Conclusions Laparoscopic surgery is safe and feasible for patients with rectal cancer, with quick recovery after the operation.