Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery

Abstract

Laparoscopic colorectal surgery (LCRS) dates back to 1991^1,2; however, this technique was not readily accepted by the surgical community because of concerns regarding safety and efficacy. Around the same time, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, introduced in 1987,³ rapidly became the standard of care for symptomatic gallstone disease.^4,5 Several factors led to the slow adoption of laparoscopy in colorectal surgery: the technical difficulty of the procedure,⁶ the lack of standardized technique,⁷ but most important, the adequacy of oncologic resection, including lymphadenectomy,^8,9 and concerns about early local and port site recurrences.^10-12 Longer operative times^13-15 and increased cost^15-18 also hindered the use of laparoscopy.