Laparoscopic surgery for transverse and descending colon carcinomas has comparable safety to laparoscopic surgery for colon carcinomas at other sites.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Many randomized clinical trials have been performed to treat colon carcinoma with the exclusion of transverse colon carcinoma or descending colon carcinoma. The aim of the present study was to investigate the difference in surgical outcomes between laparoscopic surgery for transverse/descending colon carcinomas and that for other colon carcinomas.

METHODS

A total prospective registry of 455 patients with colon carcinoma, who initially underwent laparoscopic surgery between June 2001 and December 2008, were reviewed. Surgical outcomes were compared between laparoscopic surgery for transverse/descending colon carcinoma (transverse/descending group, n = 89) and laparoscopic surgery for other colon carcinomas (other group, n = 366).

RESULTS

There was no perioperative mortality. Preoperative clinical characteristics were similar between the two groups. Regarding operative and postoperative results, the surgical duration and intraoperative blood loss were significantly greater in the transverse/descending group. However, there were no significant differences in the postoperative course between groups, and the complication rates between the groups were similar.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic surgery for transverse/descending carcinoma can be performed safely, and shows short-term benefits comparable to those in patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for other colon carcinomas.