Comparison between transverse mini-incision and longitudinal mini-incision for the resection of locally advanced colonic cancer.

We performed a retrospective review of non-overweight (body mass index ≤ 25 kg/m(2)) patients scheduled to undergo a curative resection of locally advanced colon cancer via a transverse mini-incision (n = 62) or a longitudinal mini-incision (skin incision ≤7 cm, n = 62), with the latter group of patients randomly selected as historical controls matched with the former group according to tumor location. Extension of the transverse mini-incision wound was necessary in 3 patients (5%). Both groups were largely equivalent in terms of demographic, clinicopathological, and surgical factors and frequency of postoperative complications. Postoperative analgesic was significantly less (P = 0.04) and postoperative length of the hospital stay was significantly shorter (P < 0.01) in the transverse mini-incision group. Concerning a mini-incision approach for locally advanced colonic cancer, a transverse incision seems to be advantageous with regard to minimal invasiveness and early recovery compared with a longitudinal incision.