Laparoscopic colectomy: at what cost?

The purpose of this study was to compare laparoscopic to open colectomy with respect to: 1) morbidity and mortality, 2) adequacy of resection for cancer (margins and number of nodes), 3) operative time, 4) postoperative time for tolerating diet and discharge, and 5) total hospital charges. A historical control group of open colon surgery patients was used. Laparoscopic colectomy was completed in 18/24 patients and 6 were converted to open colectomy. There were no operative or perioperative mortalities. In procedures for cancer, all margins were free of tumor. The average number of nodes in the laparoscopic group (LC) was higher than in open colectomy (OC) group. The average operative time was slightly longer in the LC group compared to the OC group. Postoperative length of stay was shorter in the LC group, and considerably shorter in the elective LC group. Corrected average total hospital cost was lower in the LC group than in the OC group. Laparoscopic colectomy has acceptable morbidity and mortality, is cost-efficient and seems to provide adequate resection for cancer, although long-term data will be crucial to this issue.