More adequate lymph node dissection after laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a difference in the amount of lymph nodes harvested during open and laparoscopic surgery and whether this might influence the subsequent offering of adjuvant chemotherapy. All patients who underwent colorectal surgery for colorectal malignancies from July 2006 to April 2008 were included in our prospective database and in the study. In the laparoscopic group, 11/55 (20%) patients with stage II tumors had <10 lymph nodes in the pathology specimen when compared with 44/110 (40%) in the open group (P=0.

Feasibility of enhanced recovery programme in various patient groups.

Introduction: An accelerated multi-modal rehabilitation programme may improve the recuperation and reduce the complication rate in patients undergoing colorectal surgery. The aim of this study was to see whether fast-track recovery is feasible in various patient groups.

Patients And Methods: Data on all patients operated for intestinal pathology from July 2006-April 2008 were prospectively collected for this prospective study.

Teaching colorectal surgery in the laparoscopic era; is it safe?

Objectives: With the introduction of laparoscopic colorectal surgery, the question is raised as to whether laparoscopic colectomies can safely be performed by surgical registrars, when supervised by experienced laparoscopic surgeons. In this study we have compared surgical outcomes of surgical registrars, fellows, and staff surgeons in a Dutch teaching hospital.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Using a prospective database, the surgical outcomes of staff surgeons, fellows, and surgical registrars were compared.