Outcomes after Laparoscopic Colon and Rectal Surgery

The use of the laparoscopic approach for colon and rectal surgery has increased over the past decade. Early and late outcomes after laparoscopic colorectal resection have been rigorously examined in clinical series, case control studies, and randomized trials. The majority of studies have found modest, but significant improvements in narcotic use, return of bowel function, and length of stay. Perhaps more importantly, multiple randomized trials have found that open and laparoscopic surgery for malignant disease have equivalent oncologic outcomes.