Laparoscopic approach significantly reduces surgical site infections after colorectal surgery: data from national surgical quality improvement program.

Background: The goal of this study was to compare surgical site infection (SSI) rates between laparoscopic (LAP) and open colorectal surgery using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database.

Study Design: We identified patients included in the NSQIP database from 2006 to 2007 who underwent LAP and open colorectal surgery. SSI rates were compared for the 2 groups.