Prospective study of ambulation after open and laparoscopic colorectal resection.

Purpose: Open and laparoscopic surgical approaches each have specific advantages. This study compares ambulation, hospital length of stay (LOS), and incision length after open and laparoscopic colorectal resection.

Methods: All consecutive patients undergoing colorectal resection over a 2 year period ending August 2002 were followed prospectively.