Since the beginning of the 90's, many publications have reported equivalent results among laparoscopic and conventional colorectal resections for cancer regarding lymph nodes number, length of the resection, margins and parietal implants. Recent studies for colon cancer showed no difference in recurrence and survival rates. Otherwise, the evaluation of oncological results after rectal resection still raises controversies. The present paper aimed to present the experience of the Cancer Hospital in Barretos (SP) in the laparoscopic treatment of rectal cancer and discuss the impact of neoadjuvant therapy over intraoperative and immediate postoperative outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: a series of consecutive patients were submitted to curative resections for T3 or T4 tumors located in medium and distal rectum from January 2000 to January 2003. These patients received neoadjuvant treatment and underwent laparoscopic (LAP) or conventional resection (CONV) 4-6 weeks afterwards. Clinical, surgical, pathological, recurrence and survival data were collected after a minimal 24 months follow-up period. RESULTS: 43 patients were analyzed (20-LAP vs 23-CONV) and showed no difference regarding gender, BMI, clinical stage, type of procedure, morbidity, number of lymph nodes, length of specimen and margins. The overall recurrence rates were similar among the groups (35% LAP vs. 26% CONV, p = 0,43). The Kaplan - Meier survival curve for an average follow-up of 45,6 months (LAP group) and 39,8 months (CONV group) (p = 0,86) revealed global survival rates of 76,7% (85% LAP vs. 70% CONV, p = 0,761) with no difference between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The present data indicate similar recurrence and survival rates in patients with medium and distal rectal cancer treated by laparoscopic and conventional approaches. Preoperative adjuvant therapy doesn't seem to difficult laparoscopic dissection of extraperitoneal rectum, favoring adequate oncological results.
colorectal laparoscopic surgery; colectomy; radiotherapy; adjuvant therapy
