Emergency laparoscopic-assisted right hemicolectomy: can we achieve outcomes similar to elective operation?

The aim of this study was to compare short-term clinical outcomes of elective and emergency laparoscopic-assisted right hemicolectomy. Between January 2005 and December 2009, 181 patients had laparoscopic-assisted right hemicolectomy performed at our institute (148 elective and 33 emergency cases). The demographic data, operative details, and short-term outcomes were collected. There were 104 men and 77 women. The median age was 69 years (range, 22-88 years). The demographic data of the 2 groups were similar except the patients were younger in the emergency surgery group (60 vs. 69 years; P=.02). The operating time of the emergency group was significantly longer then the elective group (165 vs. 150 minutes; P<.001) but the intraoperative blood loss was similar. The postoperative complication and recovery were similar between the 2 groups. In selected clinical settings, emergency laparoscopic-assisted right hemicolectomy can be safely performed without worsening the clinical outcomes.