ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To compare short- and long-term outcomes of treatment in patients with colon cancer undergoing laparoscopic and open surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: There were 281 patients with colon cancer. All patients underwent open (n=144, 51.2%) or laparoscopic (n=137, 48.8%) procedures. Short- and long-term outcomes of treatment were compared in both groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in sex, age, body mass index, location of tumors and tumor differentiation grade in both groups. Conversion was required in 10 (7.2%) cases. The median of duration of surgery was greater for laparoscopic procedures (150 min vs. 130 min; p<0.001). Intraoperative blood loss was significantly less in laparoscopic surgery (100 ml vs. 300 ml; p=0.001). Postoperative mortality was similar (3.5% vs. 2.5%; p=0.5) while incidence of postoperative complications was significantly lower after laparoscopic interventions (13.1% vs. 22.2%; p=0.04). There was earlier recovery of the gastrointestinal tract after laparoscopic procedures (2.1±0.9 days vs. 3.6±1.5 days, respectively; p<0.001). The postoperative hospital-stay was significantly less in the 2nd group (p<0.001). Two-year disease -free and overall survival was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic interventions for colon cancer are followed by similar overall and disease-free 2-year survival and better early outcomes.
