Outcome of laparoscopic resection for colorectal cancer in patients with high operative risk.

Background: There is general concern that high-risk patients are more susceptible to the adverse effect of pneumoperitoneum and they are often denied laparoscopic surgery. This study investigated the impact of laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection for patients with high operative risk, which was defined as American Society of Anesthesiologist classes 3 and 4.

Methods: Three hundred thirty-five consecutive high-risk patients who had colorectal cancer resection by open or laparoscopic surgery were included.