The application of laparoscopy in colorectal surgery: a preliminary report of twelve cases.

BACKGROUND. With the development of video camera imaging system and the improvement of laparoscopic manipulation instruments, laparoscopic surgery has become applicable to many abdominal surgeries. Having completed the feasibility studies of animal model over 10 dogs, we began to apply this new technique in the field of colorectal surgery. METHODS. From March to July 1993, 12 cases of large bowel resection were performed with laparoscopy. Operations performed included seven cases of laparoscopy-assisted right colectomy (LARC), three cases of laparoscopic abdominal-perineal resection (LAPR), one case of laparoscopic low anterior resection (LLAR) and one case of laparoscopy-assisted subtotal colectomy. Five cases received operation due to diverticular disease, three due to rectal carcinoma, three due to broad villous adenoma and one due to lipoma over ileocecal region. RESULTS. The average operation time for LARC was 4 hours and 50 minutes, and for LAPR was 6 hours and 35 minutes. Operation time required decreased substantially as the number of laparoscopic surgery performed increased. The average post-operative length of stay was 5.5 days for LARC and 11.5 days for LAPR. Most of the patient started diet intake on the third day after surgery. There was no major complication. Only two cases developed minor complications of subcutaneous hematoma over trocar insertion site and minor wound infection. CONCLUSIONS. Laparoscopic technique can feasibly be employed in certain cases of colorectal surgery, although it is rather complicated and requires longer learning curve than other laparoscopic procedures. Therefore, surgeons should take it most caution while carrying out this procedure. Experimental trials over animal model is also highly recommended before clinical practice.