Long-term oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for splenic flexure colon cancer are comparable to conventional open surgery

PURPOSE: Few studies about laparoscopic surgery for splenic flexure colon cancer have been published. This study aims to compare the short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for splenic flexure colon cancer with those of conventional open surgery. METHODS: From January 2004 to December 2010, 51 consecutive patients who underwent curative resection for stages I–III splenic flexure colon cancer were enrolled. Thirty-three patients underwent laparoscopy-assisted colectomy, while 18 patients underwent conventional open colectomy. Short- and long-term outcomes of the 2 groups were compared. RESULTS: There were no differences in baseline characteristics, intra- and postoperative complications. The laparoscopy group showed longer operation time (median [interquartile range, IQR]: 295.0 [255.0–362.5] minutes vs. 180.0 [168.8–206.3] minutes, P < 0.001). In the laparoscopy group, return of bowel function was faster (median [IQR]: 3 [2–4] vs. 4 [3–5], P = 0.007) and postoperative hospital stay was shorter (median [IQR]: 9 [8–11] vs. 10.5 [9–19], P = 0.026). There were no statistically significant differences in overall survival rate (84.3% vs. 76.0%, P = 0.560) or disease-free survival rate (93.8% vs. 74.5%, P = 0.078) between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic surgery for splenic flexure colon cancer has better short-term outcomes than open surgery, as well as acceptable long-term outcomes. Laparoscopic surgery can be a safe and feasible alternative to conventional open surgery for splenic flexure colon cancer.