The Feasibility of Hand-assisted Laparoscopic and Laparoscopic Multivisceral Resection Compared With Open Surgery for Locally Advanced Colorectal Cancer.

Background: The role of hand-assisted laparoscopic and pure laparoscopic surgery for locally advanced colorectal cancer invading or adhering to neighboring organs is controversial. This study evaluated the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic multivisceral resection for colorectal cancer.

Patients And Methods: This study included 201 patients who underwent multivisceral resection for locally advanced colorectal cancer from January 2007 to December 2013 in the Department of General Surgery, Henan Provincial Hospital. Perioperative outcomes and long-time outcomes were compared among hand-assisted laparoscopic, laparoscopic and open resections.

Results: Estimated blood loss, wound length, time to the first flatus, and postoperative hospital stay were significantly less or shorter in the hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) and laparoscopic surgery group than in open surgery (OS) group. There were no significant differences in tumor size, retrieved lymph nodes, and R0 resection rate of the primary tumor among the 3 groups. Surgeries started as laparoscopic surgery were completed in that manner 76.6% of the time with 10.6% being converted to OS and 12.8% converted to HALS and there were only 2 conversions (2.2%) to OS in the HALS group. No significant difference was noted for overall morbidity rate and reoperation rate among the 3 groups. The overall observed 5-year survival rate was 60.5% in the laparoscopic group, 55.4% in the HALS group, and 47.7% in the open group. There was no significant difference among the 3 groups in the 5-year survival rate.

Conclusions: Hand-assisted laparoscopic and pure laparoscopic multivisceral resection for locally advanced colorectal cancer is safe and feasible in selected patients. HALS can be used judiciously to reduce the rate of conversion to an open procedure and may be a better alternative for laparoscopic approach.