Laparoscopic-assisted colorectal resections. Morbidity, conversions, complications. Results of a decade

Background: After one decade of laparoscopic resections of the colon and rectum the parameters morbidity, conversion and complications were analyzed. The analysis of the literature comprises the results of operations performed for benign and malignant indications. Methods: The analysis is based on the medline research of the past ten years. Publications in German language not listed were added. Results of multicenter studies were included if differentiation by indication and dignity could be achieved. Surveys of different operations of the colon and rectum not differentiated by the parameters to be analyzed were excluded. Publications of the early beginning of laparoscopic surgery were included even if not more than 10 cases were presented but the parameters described in detail. Results: Adenomas of the colon. The morbidity ranges from 0-17.4 %, the conversion rate is 17.4 and 18.4 % in 23 respectively 38 patients. Sigmoid diverticulitis: Mortality 0-1.8 %. The morbidity was 16 % in the early series and was later below 10 % (8.7 and 7.3 %). In the beginning the conversion rate was over 10 % (12.0-38.9 %) with one exception (0 %). It dropped below 10 % (4.6- 9.2 %) and was 0 % in a recent study of 64 patients. The reasons for conversion are: inflammatory mass, fistula, perforation and obesity. Intraoperative complications are rare. The rate of postoperative complications did not change within 10 years (9.7 to 25.0 % against 7.3 to 17.0 %). Crohn's disease: The morbidity is around 10 % (10.6-14.0 %) and is lower in series with exclusively ileocoecal resections. The conversion rate is low or zero in ileocoecal resections and raises with the degree of inflammation and the spectrum of procedures. Colon cancer: Mortality: 0-1.9 %. The morbidity ranges from 6.8 to 30 % and is especially high after conversions (up to 50 %). The conversion rate reflects with the range of 4.2 to 21.0 % in the beginning and 1.6 to 23.5 % later the experience of the individual surgeon. Rectal cancer: Even in large series (n = 157) the mortality of laparoscopic rectal resections is zero. The conversion rate is 0-7.6 %; the morbidity 11.5 to 26.4 %. Reversal of Hartmann procedure: The number of cases is low, the conversion rate is around 20 %. The morbidity ranges from 14.3-41.1 % with one exception (0 %). Rectopexy: Four different techniques are applied laparoscopically. The morbidity ranges from 0 to 16 %. The conversion rate is 0-2.6 %, except one (16.0 %). Conclusion: After one decade of laparoscopic colorectal surgery there are advantages for benign indications (adenomas, Crohn's disease, rectopexy) when compared with open surgery. Disadvantages arise from conversions. Experience of the surgeon is a strong parameter for a successful outcome. Results of ongoing studies are awaited for malignant indications.