Long-term and Perioperative Outcomes of Laparoscopic and Open Surgery for Rectal Cancer

OBJECTIVES: The necessity of comparing oncologic results with the use of minimally invasive surgery in rectal cancer has arisen. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the treatment approach in rectal cancer and to compare the outcomes of laparoscopic and open surgery. METHODS: Patients who underwent surgery for rectal carcinoma between January 2006 and January 2016 in our institution were evaluated. The results were compared between the two groups according to open or laparoscopic surgery. Clinical characteristics, preoperative and postoperative results, pathological examination results, and disease-free survival rates were compared after the surgical procedure. RESULTS: A total of 121 patients were included in the study. Of the patients, 50 underwent open, and 71 underwent laparoscopic surgery. The median follow-up times were 56.75 months in the open surgery group and 55.2 months in the laparoscopic surgery group. Pathological examination revealed similar numbers of lymph nodes in both groups (p>0.05). The duration of hospital stay was statistically significantly lower in the open surgery group than in the laparoscopic group (p<0.05). The rates of disease-free survival were 74% in the open surgery group and 82.5% in the laparoscopic group, and no statistically significant difference was found (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in complication and recurrence between laparoscopic and open surgery for rectal cancer in our study. The duration of hospital stay of patients was statistically significantly lower in the laparoscopic group than in the open surgery group. Laparoscopic or open surgical options could be preferred according to the clinical suitability of the patient, experience of the surgeon, and resources of the center in rectal cancer treatment.