Totally extracorporeal laparoscopy-assisted colon resection without pneumoperitoneum.

We describe a new totally extracorporeal laparoscopy-assisted technique without insufflation of the peritoneum in the treatment of benign and malignant ascending and sigmoid colon lesions. Colon resection is performed using specially designed instruments that allow the surgeon to avoid insufflation of the peritoneum and, in case of cancer, allow for conventional lymph-adenectomy. With this new technique, the restrictions associated with the laparoscopic technique are nullified, and the surgeon can directly examine intra-abdominal contents. Our preliminary results are encouraging and demonstrate the feasibility of this technique as well as its positive results in terms of curability in selected cases of colon cancer. Additional experience will delineate the real clinical value of this technique in the treatment of malignant disease.