Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Meta-Analysis
. 2005 Jul 20;2005(3):CD003145.
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003145.pub2.

Short term benefits for laparoscopic colorectal resection

Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Short term benefits for laparoscopic colorectal resection

W Schwenk et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. .

Abstract

Background: Colorectal resections are common surgical procedures all over the world. Laparoscopic colorectal surgery is technically feasible in a considerable amount of patients under elective conditions. Several short-term benefits of the laparoscopic approach to colorectal resection (less pain, less morbidity, improved reconvalescence and better quality of life) have been proposed.

Objectives: This review compares laparoscopic and conventional colorectal resection with regards to possible benefits of the laparoscopic method in the short-term postoperative period (up to 3 months post surgery).

Search strategy: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CancerLit, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for the years 1991 to 2004. We also handsearched the following journals from 1991 to 2004: British Journal of Surgery, Archives of Surgery, Annals of Surgery, Surgery, World Journal of Surgery, Disease of Colon and Rectum, Surgical Endoscopy, International Journal of Colorectal Disease, Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery, Der Chirurg, Zentralblatt für Chirurgie, Aktuelle Chirurgie/Viszeralchirurgie. Handsearch of abstracts from the following society meetings from 1991 to 2004: American College of Surgeons, American Society of Colorectal Surgeons, Royal Society of Surgeons, British Assocation of Coloproctology, Surgical Association of Endoscopic Surgeons, European Association of Endoscopic Surgeons, Asian Society of Endoscopic Surgeons.

Selection criteria: All randomised-controlled trial were included regardless of the language of publication. No- or pseudorandomised trials as well as studies that followed patient's preferences towards one of the two interventions were excluded, but listed separately. RCT presented as only an abstract were excluded.

Data collection and analysis: Results were extracted from papers by three observers independently on a predefined data sheet. Disagreements were solved by discussion. 'REVMAN 4.2' was used for statistical analysis. Mean differences (95% confidence intervals) were used for analysing continuous variables. If studies reported medians and ranges instead of means and standard deviations, we assumed the difference of medians to be equal to the difference of means. If no measure of dispersion was given, we tried to obtain these data from the authors or estimated SD as the mean or median. Data were pooled and rate differences as well as weighted mean differences with their 95% confidence intervals were calculated using random effects models.

Main results: 25 RCT were included and analysed. Methodological quality of most of these trials was only moderate and perioperative treatment was very traditional in most studies. Operative time was longer in laparoscopic surgery, but intraoperative blood was less than in conventional surgery. Intensity of postoperative pain and duration of postoperative ileus was shorter after laparoscopic colorectal resection and pulmonary function was improved after a laparoscopic approach. Total morbidity and local (surgical) morbidity was decreased in the laparoscopic groups. General morbidity and mortality was not different between both groups. Until the 30th postoperative day, quality of life was better in laparoscopic patients. Postoperative hospital stay was less in laparoscopic patients.

Authors' conclusions: Under traditional perioperative treatment, laparoscopic colonic resections show clinically relevant advantages in selected patients. If the long-term oncological results of laparoscopic and conventional resection of colonic carcinoma show equivalent results, the laparoscopic approach should be preferred in patients suitable for this approach to colectomy.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

None known.

Figures

1
1
1.1
1.1. Analysis
Comparison 1 Patient characteristics, Outcome 1 Female Sex.
1.2
1.2. Analysis
Comparison 1 Patient characteristics, Outcome 2 Age.
2.1
2.1. Analysis
Comparison 2 Operative data, Outcome 1 Operative time.
2.2
2.2. Analysis
Comparison 2 Operative data, Outcome 2 Blood loss.
2.3
2.3. Analysis
Comparison 2 Operative data, Outcome 3 Number of Retrieved Lymphnodes.
2.4
2.4. Analysis
Comparison 2 Operative data, Outcome 4 Length of Specimen.
3.1
3.1. Analysis
Comparison 3 Pain, Outcome 1 Pain Perception.
4.1
4.1. Analysis
Comparison 4 Pulmonary function, Outcome 1 FVC day 1.
4.7
4.7. Analysis
Comparison 4 Pulmonary function, Outcome 7 Day of recovery of 80% FVC.
5.1
5.1. Analysis
Comparison 5 Ileus, Outcome 1 Duration of Postoperative Ileus.
6.1
6.1. Analysis
Comparison 6 Hospital stay, Outcome 1 Postoperative hospital stay.
7.1
7.1. Analysis
Comparison 7 Quality of life, Outcome 1 QLQ‐Scores.
8.1
8.1. Analysis
Comparison 8 Morbidity, Outcome 1 Total Morbidity (General and Local).
9.1
9.1. Analysis
Comparison 9 Local (Surgical) Morbidity, Outcome 1 Local Morbidity (Total).
9.2
9.2. Analysis
Comparison 9 Local (Surgical) Morbidity, Outcome 2 Wound Infection.
9.3
9.3. Analysis
Comparison 9 Local (Surgical) Morbidity, Outcome 3 Intraabdominal Abscess.
9.4
9.4. Analysis
Comparison 9 Local (Surgical) Morbidity, Outcome 4 Anastomotic Insufficiency.
9.5
9.5. Analysis
Comparison 9 Local (Surgical) Morbidity, Outcome 5 Postoperative Ileus.
9.6
9.6. Analysis
Comparison 9 Local (Surgical) Morbidity, Outcome 6 Postoperative bleeding.
9.7
9.7. Analysis
Comparison 9 Local (Surgical) Morbidity, Outcome 7 Fascial disrupture.
9.8
9.8. Analysis
Comparison 9 Local (Surgical) Morbidity, Outcome 8 Reoperation for Complication.
10.1
10.1. Analysis
Comparison 10 General Morbidity, Outcome 1 General Morbidity (Total).
10.2
10.2. Analysis
Comparison 10 General Morbidity, Outcome 2 Pulmonary Morbidity.
10.3
10.3. Analysis
Comparison 10 General Morbidity, Outcome 3 Cardiac Morbidity.
10.4
10.4. Analysis
Comparison 10 General Morbidity, Outcome 4 Urinary tract Morbidity.
10.5
10.5. Analysis
Comparison 10 General Morbidity, Outcome 5 Deep Venous Thrombosis.
10.6
10.6. Analysis
Comparison 10 General Morbidity, Outcome 6 Pulmonary Embolism.
11.1
11.1. Analysis
Comparison 11 Mortality, Outcome 1 Mortality.

Update of

  • doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003145

References

References to studies included in this review

Braga 2002 a {published data only}
    1. Braga M, Vignali A, Zuliani W, Radaelli G, Gianotti L, Martani C, Toussoun G, Carlo V. Metabolic and functional results after laparoscopic colorectal surgery. A randomized,controlled trial.. Dis Colon Rectum 2002;45:1070‐1077. - PubMed
Braga 2002 b {published data only}
    1. Braga M, Vignali A, Gianotti L, Zuliani W, Radaelli G, Gruarin P, Dellabona P, Carlo V. Laparoscopic versus open colorectal surgery. A randomized trial on short‐term outcome. Ann Surg 2002;236:759‐767. - PMC - PubMed
COST 2004 {published data only}
    1. The Clinical Outcomes of Surgical Therapy Study Group. A Comparison of Laparoscopically Assisted and Open Colectomy for Colon Cancer. N Engl J Med 2004;350(20):2050‐2059. - PubMed
Curet 2000 {published data only}
    1. Curet MJ, Putrakul K, Pitcher DE, Josloff RK, Zucker KA. Laparoscopic assisted colon resection for colon carcinoma. Surg Endosc 2000;14:1062‐1066. - PubMed
Danelli 2002 {published data only}
    1. Danelli G, Berti M, Perotti V, Albertin A, Baccari P, Deni F, Fanelli G, Casati A. Temperature control and recovery of bowel function after laparoscopic or laparotomic colorectal surgery in patients receiving combined epidural/general anesthesia and postoperative epidural analgesia. Anesth Analg 2002;95:467‐471. - PubMed
Dunker 2002 {published data only}
    1. Dunker MS, Hove T, Bemelmann WA, Slors JFM, Gouma DJ, Deventer SJH. Interleukin‐6, C‐reactive protein, and expression of human leukocyte antigen‐DR on peripheral mononuclear cells in patients after laparoscopic vs. conventional bowel resection. Dis Colon Rectum 2003;46:1238‐1244. - PubMed
Hasegawa 2003 {published data only}
    1. Hasegawa H, Kabeshima Y, Watanabe M, Yamamoto S, Kitajima M. Randomized controlled trial of laparoscopic versus open colectomy for advanced colorectal cancer. Surg Endosc 2003;17(4):636‐640. - PubMed
Hewitt 1998 {published data only}
    1. Hewitt PM, Ip SM, Kwok SPY, Somers SS, Li K, Leung KL, Lau WY, Li AKC. Laparoscopic‐assisted vs. open surgery for colorectal cancer.. Dis Colon Rectum 1998;41:901‐909. - PubMed
Hildebrandt 2003 a {published data only}
    1. Hildebrandt U, Kessler K, Pistorius G, Menger, MD. Comparison of surgical stress between laparoscopic and open colonic resections. Surg Endosc 2003;17:242‐246. - PubMed
Hildebrandt 2003 b {published data only}
    1. Hildebrandt U, Kessler K, Plusczyk T, Pistorius G, Menger MD. Comparison of surgical stress between laparoscopic and open colonic resections. Surg Endosc 2003;17:242‐246. - PubMed
Janson 2004 {published data only}
    1. Janson M, Björholt I, Carlsson P, Haglind E, Henriksson M, Lindholm E, Anderberg A. Randomized clinical trial of the costs of open and laparoscopic surgery for colonic cancer. Br J Surg 2004;91:409‐417. - PubMed
Lacy 2002 {published data only}
    1. Lacy AM, Garcia‐Valdecasas JC, Delgado S, Castells A, Taura P, Pique JM, Visa J. Laparoscopy‐assisted colectomy versus open colectomy for treatment of non‐metastatic colon cancer: a randomised trial.. Lancet 2002;359:2224‐2229. - PubMed
Leung 2000 {published data only}
    1. Leung KL, Lai PBS, Ho RLK, Meng WCS, Yiu RYC, Lee JFY, Lau WYL. Systemic cytokine response after laparoscopic‐assisted resection of rectosigmoid carcinoma.. Ann Surg 2000;231:506‐511. - PMC - PubMed
Leung 2004 {published data only}
    1. Leung KL, Kwok SPY, Lam SCW, Lee JFY, Yiu RYC, Ng SSM, Lai PBS, Lau WY. Laparoscopic resection of rectosigmoid carcinoma: prospective randomised trial. Lancet 2004;363:1187‐1192. - PubMed
Liang 2002 {published data only}
    1. Liang JT, Shieh MJ, Chen CN, Cheng YM, Chang KJ, Wang SM. Prospective evaluation of laparoscopy‐assisted colectomy versus laparotomy with resection for management of complex polyps of the sigmoid colon. World J Surg 2002;26:377‐383. - PubMed
Milsom 1998 {published data only}
    1. Milsom JW, Böhm B, Hammerhofer KA, Fazio V, Steiger E, Elson P. A prospective, randomized trial comparing laparoscopic versus conventional techniques in colorectal cancer surgery: a preliminary report.. J Am Coll Surg 1998;187:46‐57. - PubMed
Milsom 2001 {published data only}
    1. Milsom JW, Hammerhofe KA, Böhm B, Marcello P, Elson P, Fazio V. Prospective, randomized trial comparing laparoscopic vs conventional surgery for refractory ileocolic crohn's disease. Dis Colon Rectum 2001;44:1‐9. - PubMed
Ortiz 1996 {published data only}
    1. Ortiz H, Armendariz P, Yarnoz C. Early postoperative feeding after elective colorectal surgery is not a benefit unique to laparoscopy‐assisted procedures. Int J Colorect Dis 1996;11:246‐249. - PubMed
Schwenk 2002 {published and unpublished data}
    1. Schwenk W, Neudecker J, Böhm B, Müller JM. Postoperative short‐term course follwoing laparoscopic or conventional resection of colorectal tumors [Kurzfristiger postoperativer Verlauf nach laparoskopischen oder konventionellen Resektionen kolorektaler Tumoren]. Minimal Invasive Chirurgie 2002;11:112‐118.
Solomon 2002 {published data only}
    1. Solomon MJ, Young CJ, Eyers AA, Roberts RA. Randomized clinical trial of laparoscopic versus open abdominal rectopexy for rectal prolapse.. Br J Surg 2002;89:35‐39. - PubMed
Stage 1997 {published data only}
    1. Stage JG, Schulze S, Moller P, Overgaard H, Andersen M, Rebsdorf‐Petersen VB, Nielsen J. Prospective randomized study of laparoscopic vs. open colonic resection for adenocarcinoma. Br J Surg 1997;84:391‐396. - PubMed
Tang 2001 {published data only}
    1. Tang CL, Eu KW, Tai BC, Soh JGS, Machin D, Seow‐Choen F. Randomized clinical trial of the effect of open versus laparoscopically assisted colectomy on systemic immunity in patients with colorectal cancer.. Br J Surg 2001;88:801‐807. - PubMed
Weeks 2002 {published data only}
    1. Weeks JC, Nelson H, Gelber S, Sargent D, Schroeder G. Weeks JC, Nelson H, Gelber S, Sargent D, Schroeder G. Short‐term quality‐of‐life outcomes following laparoscopic‐assisted colectomy vs. open colectomy for colon cancer.. JAMA 2002;287:321‐328. - PubMed
Winslow 2002 {published data only}
    1. Winslow ER, Fleshman JW, Birnbaum EH, Brunt LM. Wound complications of laparoscopic vs. open colectomy [Wound complications of laparoscopic vs. open colectomy]. Surg Endosc 2002;16:1420‐1425. - PubMed
Wu 2002 {published data only}
    1. Wu FPK, Sietses C, Blomberg BME, Leeuwen PAM, Meijer S, Cuesta MA. Systemic and peritoneal inflammatory response after laparoscopic or conventional colon resection in cancer patients. Dis Colon Rectum 2003;46:147‐155. - PubMed

References to studies excluded from this review

Bergamaschi 2000 {published data only}
    1. Bergamaschi R, Tuech JJ, Cervi C, Arnaud J‐P. Re‐establish peumoperitoneum in laparoscopic‐assisted sigmoid resection?. Dis Colon Rectum 2000;43:771‐774. - PubMed
Böhm 1999 {published data only}
    1. Böhm B, JunghansT, Neudecker, J. Schwenk W. Liverfunction and renal function following laparoscopic and conventional resection of colorectal tumors [Leber‐ und Nierenfunktion nach laparoskopischer und konventioneller Resektion kolorektaler Tumoren ‐ Ergebnisse aus einer prospektiv‐randomisierten Studie.]. Viszeralchirurgie 1999;34:20‐24.
Delgado 2001 {published data only}
    1. Delgado S, Lacy AM, Filella X, Castells A, Garcia‐Valdecasas JC, Pique JM, Momblan D, Visa J. Acute phase response in laparoscopic and open colectomy in colon cancer.. Dis Colon Rectum 2001;44:638‐646. - PubMed
Hotokezaka 1996 {published data only}
    1. Hotokezaka M, Dix J, Mentis P, Minasi JS, Schirmer BD. Gastrointestinal recovery following laparoscopic vs. open colon surgery. Surg Endosc 1996;10:485‐489. - PubMed
Kim 1998 {published data only}
    1. Kim SH, Milsom JW, Gramlich TL, Toddy SM, Shore GI, Okuda J, Fazio VW. Does laparoscopic vs. conventional surgery increase exfoliated cancer cells in the peritoneal cavity during resection of colorectal cancer?. Dis Colon Rectum 1998;41:971‐978. - PubMed
Lacy 1995 {published data only}
    1. Lacy AM, Garcia‐Valdecasas JC, Pique JM, Delgado S, Campo E, Bordas JM, Taura P, Grande L, Fuster J, Pacheco JL, Visa J. Short‐term outcome analysis of a randomized study comparing laparoscopic vs. open colectomy for colon cancer. Surg Endosc 1995;9:1101‐1105. - PubMed
Lacy 1998 {published data only}
    1. Lacy A.M, Delgado S, Garcia‐Valdecasas J.C, Castells A, Pique J.M, Grande L, Fuster J, Targarona E.M, Pera M, Visa J. Port site metastases and recurrence after laparoscopic colectomy. A randomized trial. Surg Endosc 1998;12:1039‐1042. - PubMed
Ordemann 2001 {published data only}
    1. Ordemann J, Jacobi C.A, Schwenk W, Stösslein R, Müller JM. Cellular and humoral inflammatory response after laparoscopic and conventional colorectal resections. Surg Endosc 2001;15:600‐608. - PubMed
Schulze 1999 {published data only}
    1. Schulze S, Lyng KM, Bugge K, Perner A, Bendtsen A, Thorup J, Nielsen HJ, Rasmusen V, Rosenberg J. Cardiovascular and respiratory changes and convalescence in laparoscopic colonic surgery. Comparison between carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum and gasless laparoscopy. Arch Surg 1999;134:1112‐1118. - PubMed
Schwenk 1998 a {published data only}
    1. Schwenk W, Böhm B, Haase O, Junghans T, Müller J.M. Laparoscopic versus conventional colorectal resections: a prospective randomised study of postoperative ileus and early postoperative feeding.. Langenbecks Arch Surg 1998;383:49‐55. - PubMed
Schwenk 1998 b {published data only}
    1. Schwenk W, Böhm B, Müller J.M. Postoperative pain and fatigue after laparoscopic or conventional colorectal resections ‐ a prospective randomised trial. Surg Endosc 1998;12:1131‐1136. - PubMed
Schwenk 1998 c {published data only}
    1. Schwenk W, Böhm B, Haase O, Junghans T, Müller J.M. Laparoscopic or conventional colorectal resection ‐ is there an influence of the operative technique on postoperative quality of life? [Laparoskopische oder konventionelle kolorektale Resektionen ‐ beeinflusst die Operationstechnik die postoperative Lebensqualität?]. Zentralbl Chir 1998;123:483‐490. - PubMed
Schwenk 1999 {published data only}
    1. Schwenk W, Böhm B, Witt C, Junghans T, Gründel K, Müller J.M. Pulmonary Function Following Laparoscopic or Conventional Colorectal Resection: a Randomized Controlled Evaluation.. Arch Surg 1999;134:6‐12. - PubMed
Targarona 2002 {published data only}
    1. Taragarona EM, Gracia E, Garriga J, Martinez‐Bru C, Cortes M, Boluda R, Lerma L, Trias M. Prospective‐randomized trial comparing conventional laparoscopic colectomy with and‐assisted laparoscopic colectomy. Surg Endosc 2002;16:234‐239. - PubMed

References to ongoing studies

COLOR {published data only}
    1. Hazebroek, EJ. COLOR A randomized controlled trial comparing laparoscopic and open resection for colon cancer. Surg Endosc 2002;16:949‐953. - PubMed
    1. The COLOR Study Group. COLOR: A randomized clinical trial comparing laparoscopic and open resection for colon cancer. Dig Surg 2000;17:617‐622. - PubMed
COLOR 2 {unpublished data only}
    1. Conventional or laparoscopic resection of rectal cancer (COLOR 2). Ongoing study no further information available.
LAPDIV‐CAMIC {published data only}
    1. LAPDIV‐CAMIC‐Study Group. The LAPDIV‐CAMIC‐Study. Multicenter prospective randomised study on the short and medium term differences after laparoscopic and conventional sigmoid resection for diverticular disease [Die LAPDIV‐CAMIC‐Studie. Multizentrische prospektiv‐randomisierte Studie zu den kurz‐ und mittelfristigen Unterschieden nach laparoskopischer und konventioneller Sigmaresektion bei Divertikelerkrankung]. Chirurg 2004;75:706‐707. - PubMed
LAPKON II {unpublished data only}
    1. LAPKON II‐Study Group. personal communication 2004.
MRC‐CLASSICC {published data only}
    1. Stead ML, Brown JM, Bosanquet N, Franks PJ, Guillou PJ, Quirke P, Jayne D, Monson JRT, Webb AV. Assessing the relative costs of standard open surgery and laparoscopic surgery in colorectal cancer in a randomised controlled trial in the United Kingdom. Critical Reviews in Oncology / Hematology 2000;33:99‐103. - PubMed

Additional references

DerSimonian 1986
    1. DerSimonian R, Laird N. Meta‐analysis in clinical trials.. Controlled Clinical Trials 1986;7:177‐188. - PubMed
Evans 1985
    1. Evans M, Pollock AV. A score system for evaluating random control clinical trials of prophylaxis of abdominal surgical wound infection. Br J Surg 1985;72:256‐260. - PubMed
Franklin 1993
    1. Franklin ME, Ramos R, Rosenthal D, Schuessler W. Laparoscopic colonic procedures. World J Surg 1993;17:51‐56. - PubMed
Hardy 1998
    1. Hardy RJ, Thompson SG. Detecting and describing heterogeneity in meta‐analysis.. Statistics in Medicine 1998;17:841‐856. - PubMed
Jacobs 1991
    1. Jacobs M, Verdeja JC, Goldstein HS. Minimally invasive colon resection (laparoscopic colectomy). Surg Laparosc Endosc 1991;1:144‐150. - PubMed
Kehlet 2000
    1. Kehlet H, Wilmore D.W. Multimodal strategies to improve surgical outcome. Am J Surg 2000;183:630‐641. - PubMed
Ries 2000
    1. Ries LAG, Wingo PAW, Miller S, Howe HL, Weir HK, Rosenberg HM, Vernone SW, Cronin K, Edwards BK. The annual report to the nation on the status of cancer, 1973 ‐ 1997, with a special section on colorectal cancer. Cancer 2000;88(10):2398‐2424. - PubMed