Complications in laparoscopic colorectal surgery: results of a multicentre trial.

Background: We present a prospective observational multicentre study of 4834 consecutive cases undergoing laparoscopic colorectal procedures.

Methods: The study was initiated on 1 August 1995, with centres from Germany, Austria and Switzerland participating. All patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery were included, and no selection criteria were applied.

Results: Between August 1995 and April 2004, the participating centres treated 4834 patients. Three thousand, one hundred and sixty-six operations were performed for benign indications, and 1668 for cancer, with most operations being done for diverticulitis (2019, 41.8%). The conversion rate was 5.6%, and the overall morbidity was 20.1%. Intra-operative complications occurred in 5.9%, postoperative complications in 14.0%, and the overall anastomotic leak rate was 3.1% (colon 2.6%, rectum 11.9%). The 30-day mortality rate was 1.3%.

Conclusions: It has been our experience that laparoscopic surgery for colorectal disease is safe. Morbidity and mortality are comparable to those of conventional colorectal surgery.