Potential Benefits of Minimally Invasive Laparoscopy in Reducing Local Recurrence After Surgery for Low Rectal Cancer.

Aim: To compare the mid-term oncological results between patients with low rectal cancer who underwent minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery (MILS) and those who underwent open surgery (OS).

Patients And Methods: Overall, 262 matched patients who underwent primary resection for low rectal cancer between 2000 and 2019 were divided into MILS (n=131; n=107, conventional laparoscopic surgery; n=24, robotic surgery) and OS (n=131) groups. The short- and mid-term outcomes were compared.

Results: Similar baseline characteristics were noted. The operative time was longer and blood loss was lesser in the MILS group; the conversion rate was 3.8%. The incidence of postoperative complications was similar. The 2-year cumulative incidence of local recurrence was noted to be much lower in the MILS group (1.9%) than in the OS group (8.4%). MILS had a significantly low hazard ratio (0.208, p=0.036).

Conclusion: MILS has potential benefits in reducing local recurrence of low rectal cancer.