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Immediately recognizable benefits and drawbacks after laparoscopic colon resection for benign disease

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Abstract

Background: A prospective assessment of the impact of laparoscopic colon resection (LCR) was carried out in order to quantify immediately recognizable benefits and limitations of this approach.

Methods: Elective LCR was attempted in 95 selected patients (mean age 64 years, range 39–81 years) presenting with benign disease of the colon. A completely intracorporeal approach was adopted. Results were compared with a control group of 90 patients who had previously undergone open colectomy (OC) by the same surgeons at the same institution.

Results: There were no perioperative deaths. Intraoperative complications included difficult extraction of accidentally detached anvil (n= 1), air leak at colonoscopy (n= 2), and conversion to OC (n= 1). Operating time was significantly longer after LCR compared with OC (180 ± 10.3 vs 116 ± 97, p < 0.001). Passage of flatus (3.5 ± 1.2 days vs 4.4 ± 1.4, p < 0.5) and morbidity (4 vs 3, p= 0.48) were not significantly different in the two groups. Hospital stay was significantly shorter after LCR (5.2 ± 1.3 days vs 12.2 ± 1.9 days, p < 0.001). Theater and ward costs were, respectively, significantly increased ($ 2,829.6 ± 340 vs $ 1,422 ± 318, p < 0.001) and decreased ($ 2,600 ± 366 vs $ 6,022 ± 916, p < 0.001) in LCR patients compared with the OC group. There was no significant difference in total hospital costs ($ 10,929 ± 369 vs $ 9,944 ± 1,014).

Conclusions: LCR does not appear to offer any immediately recognizable advantages.

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Received: 15 October 1996/Accepted: 13 December 1996

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Bergamaschi, R., Arnaud, JP. Immediately recognizable benefits and drawbacks after laparoscopic colon resection for benign disease. Surg Endosc 11, 802–804 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004649900457

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004649900457

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