Analysis of Appendiceal Neoplasms on 3544 Appendectomy Specimens for Acute Appendicitis: Retrospective Cohort Study of a Single Institution.

BACKGROUND Appendiceal neoplasms are rare and generally determined in appendectomy specimens for acute appendicitis. Depending on a tumor's histopathology and size, appendectomy or right hemicolectomy are the surgical treatment options. Adenocarcinomas, mucinous neoplasms, goblet cell carcinoids and neuroendocrine tumors are the types of the primary appendiceal neoplasm histopathology. In this study, we aimed to determine the incidence of appendiceal neoplasms in an acute appendicitis cohort. Also, histopathological distributions, demographic data, preoperative radiological diagnosis, and intraoperative findings were revealed for analysis, retrospectively. MATERIAL AND METHODS Between October 2011 and September 2017, 3554 appendectomies were performed for acute appendicitis in Bezmialem University Hospital, Istanbul Turkey. The medical records of these consecutive 3554 patients were evaluated retrospectively. After the histopathological analysis of the appendectomy specimens, a total of 28 patients were detected as having appendiceal neoplasm including appendiceal adenocarcinoma, low grade mucinous neoplasia, and appendiceal neuroendocrine tumors. RESULTS Appendiceal neoplasms were determined in 28 out of 3554 acute appendicitis patients with an incidence of 0.78%. According to the histopathological types, 3 of the cases (10.7%) were appendiceal adenocarcinoma, 8 of the cases (28.5%) were low grade mucinous neoplasia, and 17 of the cases (60.8%) were neuroendocrine tumors. The overall incidence of the appendiceal neuroendocrine tumors was 0.48%. CONCLUSIONS The information obtained from our study suggests that pathological examination of the specimen may not be necessary if there is no doubt according to preoperative radiological diagnosis and/or intraoperative findings of the surgeon.

The impact of a percutaneous cholecystostomy catheter in situ until the time of cholecystectomy on the development of recurrent acute cholecystitis: a historical cohort study.

BACKGROUND: the optimal duration of percutaneous cholecystostomy in patients with acute cholecystitis is unknown. METHODS: this study was a retrospective analysis of patients (age ≥ 18 years) who underwent percutaneous cholecystostomy due to acute calculous cholecystitis. Patients were grouped according to treatment modality: percutaneous cholecystostomy as a definitive treatment (group 1), subsequent surgical treatment after the removal of the catheter (group 2) and those remaining in situ (group 3). The development of gallstone-related complications was the main outcome. RESULTS: there were 24 females (43.6%) and 31 males (56.4%) included in the study with a mean age of 64.8 ± 15.9 years. There were 16 (29.1%), 19 (34.5%) and 20 (36.4%) patients in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The catheter withdrawal time for group 1 and group 2 was 18.2 ± 6.9 and 20.7 ± 13.4 days, respectively. Surgical treatment was performed after a mean of 85.4 ± 93.5 days following catheter removal in group 2 and a mean of 64 ± 32.5 days while the PC tube was in place in group 3. There were one (6.3%) and two cases of a recurrence (10.5%) in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Two patients developed choledocholithiasis (10%) in group 3. CONCLUSION: maintaining percutaneous cholecystostomy tubes in place until the time of surgery in surgically fit patients may help to prevent a recurrence after acute calculous cholecystitis.

The effect of neoadjuvant therapy on the size, number, and distribution of mesorectal lymph nodes.

The current therapeutic approach to patients with locally advanced rectal cancer is neoadjuvant radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy followed by total mesorectal excision. We aimed to investigate the number, size, and distribution of metastatic and nonmetastatic lymph nodes within the mesorectum; whether neoadjuvant therapy has any impact on the number and size of the lymph nodes; and the impact of metastatic lymph node localization on overall and disease-free survival. Specimens from 50 consecutive patients with stage II/III rectal cancer receiving either neoadjuvant radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy were investigated. Lymph node dissection was carried out by careful visual inspection and palpation. The localization of the each lymph node within the mesorectum and the relation with the tumor site were noted. The size and the number of lymph nodes retrieved decreased significantly with neoadjuvant therapy. Majority of the metastatic and nonmetastatic lymph nodes were located at or proximally to the tumor level and posterior side of the mesorectum. No relation was observed between the overall and disease-free survival, and the localization of the metastatic lymph nodes. Presence of lymph node metastases proximal to the tumor level has no impact on survival compared with the presence of lymph node metastasis only in the peritumoral region of the mesorectum. Although neoadjuvant therapy decreases the size and the number of lymph nodes, reaching an ideal number of lymph nodes for accurate staging is still possible with careful naked eye examination and dissection of perirectal fat. As the majority of metastatic and nonmetastatic lymph nodes are located in peritumoral and proximal compartment, and posterior side of the mesorectum, these regions should be the major interest of dissection.

Guidelines for extended lymphadenectomy in gastric cancer: a prospective comparative study.

AIMS: To assess the efficacy of extended lymph node dissection in gastric cancer and to identify factors affecting lymph node detection. METHODS: A prospective study of 126 gastric cancer patients was conducted. Patients eligible for curative resection received total gastrectomy and extended lymphadenectomy (D2) and paraaortic lymph node sampling as the standard of care (study group). Supramesocolic total lymphadenectomy of the upper gastrointestinal tract was performed on 23 autopsy cases as a control group. RESULTS: Fifty-five gastric carcinoma patients were included in the study group. Median age was 58 years (range 31-80 years); 14 patients were female (25%), and 41 were male (75%). The median number of lymph nodes harvested from the specimen was 47 (24-95), and the median number of metastatic lymph nodes was 15 (1-71). In contrast, in the autopsy comparative group, the median number of harvested lymph nodes was 72 (50-91). The median number of stational lymph nodes excised (lymph nodes excised from stations 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, and 16) was significantly higher in the control group than in the study group (P<0.05). Lymph node detection was adversely affected by body mass index (BMI) (P<0.03). In the study group, stations 5, 12, 11, and 10 had the highest lymph node absence (LNA) (noncompliance) ratio with percentages of 53, 36, 33, and 22%, respectively. In the autopsy group, LNA (noncompliance) was not detected. CONCLUSIONS: Lymph nodes should be dissected by surgeons with sufficient technical and anatomical experience, and then examined and counted by experienced pathologists to reduce the occurrence of LNA. The results of this anatomical study can serve as a guideline to assess the success of lymph node dissection during gastric cancer surgery. Similar studies should be conducted in every country to establish national guidelines.

Laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer: outcomes in 513 patients.

BACKGROUND: Few reports have demonstrated the feasibility and efficacy of laparoscopic resection in patients with rectal cancer (RC). The objective of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of laparoscopic resection for RC, with an emphasis on perioperative variables and long-term oncological outcomes. METHODS: This prospective study was carried out between January 2005 and September 2010 and included 513 patients diagnosed with RC who underwent laparoscopic surgery. Patients with locally advanced RC (cT3/cT4 or N+) received neoadjuvant treatment. Adjuvant treatment was applied to patients with stage II/III disease or according to the neoadjuvant protocol. All patients were followed-up prospectively for the evaluation of complications and oncological outcome. Survival rate analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Sphincter-preserving surgery was performed on 389 patients, and the remaining 124 patients underwent abdominoperineal resection. Perioperative mortality occurred in only one patient (0.2 %), and 27 (5.3 %) intraoperative complications were recorded. The most common postoperative complication was anastomotic leakage (5.5 %). The conversion rate was 6.4 %. The mean number of harvested lymph nodes was 23.6 ± 13. The mean distance to the distal margin was 2.6 ± 1.9 (0-7) cm. Distal margin positivity was detected in 9 (1.7 %) patients. The circumferential margin was positive in 39 (7.6 %) cases. After a median follow-up period of 30 (1-78) months, recurrence occurred in a total of 59 patients (11.5 %). Local recurrence was detected in 16 patients (3.1 %), and both local and distant recurrence was found in 7 patients (1.4 %). Distant recurrence only was detected in 43 patients (8.4 %). The overall 5-year survival rate was 84 %, and the 5-year disease-free survival rate was 77.4 %. The local recurrence-free survival rate was 98.4 % at 2 years, 95.7 % at 3 years, and 94.3 % at 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Our results, together with the review of the literature, clearly demonstrate that laparoscopic resection for RC is a feasible method at specialized high-volume centers. The long-term outcomes are at least as good as those from open surgery as long as the principles of oncologic surgery are respected and faithfully performed.

Effects of intraperitoneal bevacizumab administration on colonic anastomosis and early postoperative adhesion formation.

AIM: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of intraperitoneal (IP) bevacizumab on colonic anastomosis and evaluate the effects on early postoperative adhesion formation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 24 mature female Sprague-Dawley rats were used for this study. Rats were randomly assigned to a control group that received saline (n = 8) or to experimental groups (n = 8 each) that received bevacizumab at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg (group 1) or 5 mg/kg (group 2). Animals were killed humanely on the seventh day after operation, and measurements of anastomotic strength and biochemical variables were performed. RESULTS: The mean adhesion grade was 2.63 ± 0.92, and 1 ± 0.93 and 0.75 ± 0.71 for the control and test groups, respectively. Bevacizumab significantly reduced adhesion formation in both low-dose and high-dose IP applications (P < .05). When all groups were compared, it was found that VEGF levels decreased significantly only in the tissue (P = .001), whereas there was no significant difference in the blood and the IP fluid (P = .73 and .08, respectively). We evaluated hydroxyproline levels, anastomosis bursting pressure, and histopathological healing scores. When each of these parameters were examined, there was statistical difference between groups (P = .01, .004, and .01, respectively). It was found that these parameters significantly decreased depending on increasing drug dose. CONCLUSION: IP administration of bevacizumab effectively reduced the formation of adhesions and caused significant impairment of anastomotic wound healing when standard doses were administered (5 mg/kg), but the 2.5-mg/kg dosage did not affect the anastomotic wound healing and also effectively reduced the formation of adhesions.

Comparison of open and laparoscopic techniques in the surgical treatment of acute appendicitis.

OBJECTIVE: Acute appendicitis (AA) is the most common cause of acute abdomen and appendectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures. In this study, we aimed to compare open appendectomy (OA) and laparoscopic (LA) surgical techniques in the treatment of AA. METHODS: The data of 236 patients treated with the diagnosis of AA in 2019-2020 were analyzed. Of these patients, 85 patients who received OA and 84 patients who received LA were included in the study. Then, the two groups were compared in terms of demographic, laboratory, clinical, and surgical treatments. RESULTS: A total of 169 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 34.9 years (range 16-78), and the male-to-female ratio was 0.69. Statistical analysis revealed that the OA group had more leukocytosis, more female gender, and longer operation time than the LA group, but the LA group's complication rate was lower (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: LA offers less morbidity, a shorter duration of hospital stay, and a fast return to normal activities compared to OA. In the surgical treatment of AA, LA can be applied as a routine and first-line treatment.

Comparison of postoperative quality of life of Limberg flap and Karydakis flap in pilonidal sinus operations.

OBJECTIVES: Pilonidal sinus disease (PSD), most commonly seen in young men, is a chronic disease resulting from the pilosebaceous in the sacrococcygeal region. There is still no standardization in surgical treatment. In this study, the effectiveness, follow up outcomes and quality of life level were compared between Karydakis flap (KF) and Limberg flap (LF) operations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Among the patients who had undergone PSD surgery in our clinic between 2015 and 2016, those who could be reached and who received KF (n= 53) and LF (n= 51) operations were included into the study. Clinical data of these patients were retrospectively evaluated. Postoperative satisfaction levels of the patients were determined with Cardiff wound healing survey questions and visual analog scale. RESULTS: Mean operational time was 54 (44-75) minutes in the LF group and 45 (35-60) minutes in the KF group, and it was statistically significant (p= 0.001). Mean time to return to work was 14.3 (9-28) days in the LF group and 17.6 (10-30) days in the CF group and was statistically significant (p= 0.001). The rates of complications and recurrence were lower in the LF group although the difference was not statistically significant between the groups (p> 0.05). Mean psychosocial assessment score was 70.3 (57.5-88.7) in the KF group and 73.4 (53.5-87.5) in the LF group and the difference was statistically significant (p= 0.001). CONCLUSION: LF was a more reliable and preferable method compared to KF because of earlier return-to-work, lower rate of recurrence at long term follow up, and higher psychosocial satisfaction.

Comparison of surgical techniques and results for emergency or elective femoral hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: Inguinal hernia affects 3-8% of the population. Femoral hernias are only a small number of groin hernias; however, femoral hernias are very important because these operations are generally emergency procedures, and bowel resections are frequently necessary. This study aims to compare surgical outcomes of patients with femoral hernias using different techniques under emergency or elective conditions. METHODS: Between April 2013 and November 2017, 52 patients with femoral hernias were admitted to the emergency department of the General Surgery Clinics at two university hospitals in Istanbul. The medical files of all the patients who underwent surgery with a diagnosis of a femoral hernia were retrospectively evaluated. The demographic data, hernia side information, sac contents, surgical technique, length of hospital stay, recurrence according to the last outpatient clinic and complications were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The sex distribution of the cases was as follows: 88.5% (n=46) of the patients were female, and 11.5% (n=6) were male. The mean age was 62.9±16.49 years (31-91 years). There were no significant differences between the two groups, according to the hernia side (p=0.282). Thirteen of the elective cases (52%) were operated using open techniques, and 12 cases (48%) were operated using laparoscopic techniques. CONCLUSION: For the comparison of surgical techniques and outcomes, prospective randomized studies should be designed to standardize broad-based surgical techniques.

Nonclosure of the Peritoneum during Appendectomy May Cause Less Postoperative Pain: A Randomized, Double-Blind Study.

Objective: We aim to evaluate the effect of peritoneal closure on postoperative pain and life quality associated with open appendectomy operations. Methods: This is a single-center, prospective, randomized, and double-blinded study. Here, 18-65-year-old patients who underwent open appendectomy for acute appendicitis were included. Demographic data of the patients, operation time, length of hospital stay, pain scores using a 10 cm visual analogue scale (VAS) on the first postoperative day, quality of life assessment using the EuroQol-5D-5L questionnaire on postoperative 10th day, deep wound dehiscence, bowel obstruction, and mortality data were recorded. Results: In total, 112 patients were included in the study. The demographic data showed no significant difference between the groups. The median VAS score was lower in the group with open peritoneum, but this difference was not statistically significant (3 vs. 4, p=0.134). The duration of surgery was significantly shorter in the peritoneal nonclosure group (31.0 ± 15.1 vs. 38.5 ± 17.5 minutes, p=0.016). Overall complication rates and life quality test (EuroQol-5D-5L) results were similar between groups. Conclusion: Nonclosure of the peritoneum seems to shorten the duration of surgery without increasing complications during open appendectomy. Postoperative pain and life quality measures were not affected by nonclosure of the peritoneum. This trial is registered with NCT02803463.

Comparison of Laparoscopic and Conventional Cystotomy/Partial Cystectomy in Treatment of Liver Hydatidosis.

INTRODUCTION: Hydatidosis is a zoonotic infection and treatment is mandatory to avoid complications. Surgery remains the first choice in the treatment especially for CE2-CE3b cysts. Open or laparoscopic approaches are available. However, comparative studies are limited. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of patients who underwent cystotomy/partial cystectomy for liver hydatidosis between January 2012 and September 2016 (n=77) were evaluated retrospectively. Recurrent cases and the patients with previous hepatobiliary surgery were excluded. 23 patients were operated upon laparoscopically and named as Group 1. 48 patients operated conventionally named as Group 2. Demographics, cyst characteristics, operative time, length of hospital stay, recurrences, and surgery related complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Groups were similar in terms of demographics, cyst characteristics, and operative time. The length of hospital stay was 3.4 days in Group 1 and 4.7 days in Group 2 (p=0,007). The mean follow-up period was 17.8 months and 21.7 months, respectively (p=0.170). Overall complication rates were similar in two groups (p=0.764). Three conversion cases occurred (13%). One mortality was seen in Group 2. Four recurrences occurred in each group (17% versus 8.3%, respectively) (p=0.258). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy is a safe and feasible approach for surgical treatment of liver hydatidosis. Recurrence may be prevented by selection of appropriate cases in which exposure of cysts does not pose an intraoperative difficulty.

Evaluation of local hemostatic effect of microporous polysaccharide hemospheres products in thyroid surgery: a prospective randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVES: Bleeding is a rare and dangerous complication of thyroid surgery. One of the hemostatic agents used during surgery are microporous polysaccharide hemospheres (MPH) which are local hemostatic agents acquired from purified potato starch. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of two MPH, produced with different biotechniques, in decreasing hemorrhages and drainage following thyroidectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A statistical power analysis predicted that totally 20 patients per each group was needed within 95% confidential interval. Patients were randomized into 3 groups as control, Haemocer TM and Arista TM to be 20 patients in each group. Following bilateral total thyroidectomy, no additional procedures were performed in the first group, 5 g Haemocer was administered to the second group, 5 g Arista was administered to the third group into the operational field, and the operation was ended by placing a double-sided hemovac drain. At post-operative day one, drainage amount, calcium (Ca), phosphate (P) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were noted. RESULTS: No significant difference was noted between the groups for age, gender, removed tissue weight and malignant pathology rates. Also, no significant difference was noted between post-operative drainages and Ca, P, PTH levels of groups either. Hoarseness or hematoma were not observed in any patient. CONCLUSION: MPHs are not proven in effectiveness in decreasing post-operative hemorrhages, which might be a key to avoiding unnecessary expenses.

A rare cause of obstructive defecation in a 29-year-old woman: Ileo-colo-colonic intussusception treated by subtotal colectomy with posterior rectopexy.

Adult intussusception is a rare clinical condition. In majority of adult cases, there is an underlying cause such as polyps or colon cancers. In the present study, a 29-year-old woman with intermittent and colicky abdominal pain, constipation, and painful defecation, accompanied with distention and sense of rectal fullness, was evaluated with computed tomography. Ileo-colo-colic intussusception was determined. Subtotal colectomy with posterior rectopexy was performed. After the surgery, she was doing well at 13-month follow-up.

Transvaginal Small Bowel Evisceration following Abdominoperineal Resection.

Abdominoperineal resection (APR) is one of the surgical techniques performed for the distal rectal cancer. The perineal herniation is one of the complications of APR surgery. In this report, we aim to demonstrate a rare case of small bowel evisceration and strangulation secondary to the transvaginal herniation evolved in the late stage after perineal hernia repair following laparoscopic APR.

Use of peritoneal washing cytology for the detection of free peritoneal cancer cells before and after surgical treatment of gastric adenocarcinoma.

AIM: Cytological detection of peritoneal-free gastric cancer cells is considered as the gold standard with variable sensitivity. Seeding of cancer cells after radical surgery for gastric cancer is a controversial issue. In this study, it was aimed to detect the rate of positive peritoneal washing cytology and the incidence of spreading of tumor cells after radical surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with pathologically proven and surgically treated gastric adenocarcinoma were enrolled. Three peritoneal washing samples were examined cytologically: at the beginning, after completion of resection, and before closure of the abdomen. Identification of peritoneal-free gastric cancer cells was regarded as the main outcome. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients with a mean age of 60.7 ± 12 years were enrolled. T3 and N0 were the most common stages seen in 16 (47%) and 12 patients (35.3%), respectively. There were two positive results (5.9%) as the first peritoneal sample. Considering T3- or N-positive patients, the incidence increased to 9.1%. There was no conversion of negative to positive cytology. Cytological positivity remained only in one case (2.9%) after the second and the third peritoneal samples. CONCLUSION: Rate of positive peritoneal washing cytology in patients with gastric cancer is influenced by clinicopathological findings and the technique used. Use of cytology alone is thought to be failed to detect free cancers cells within the peritoneal cavity.

Scalp recurrence of cholangiocarcinoma after curative hepatectomy: A report of two cases.

Cholangiocarcinomas are the second most common primary liver malignancies. The lymphatics are the common route of metastatic spread for cholangiocarcinomas. The most frequent sites of metastasis are the liver, abdominal lymph nodes, peritoneum and lungs. Cutaneous metastasis of cholangiocarcinoma is rare, and most commonly occurs following percutaneous biliary drainage. Brain or skull metastases from this tumor are uncommon. However, these rare metastatic lesions may occasionally be the first disease manifestation, although scalp recurrence following curative treatment is uncommon. We herein present the cases of two patients with cholangiocarcinoma, who were evaluated as resectable based on the criteria for cholangiocarcinoma resectability, and developed scalp recurrence following curative hepatectomy. Therefore, although scalp recurrence is a rare occurrence following curative treatment for cholangiocarcinoma, metastases should be included in the differential diagnosis.

Laparoscopic surgery in distal pancreatic tumors.

OBJECTIVE: Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy is increasingly being used in the surgical treatment of corpus and distal pancreatic tumors. In this study, patients who underwent laparoscopic or open distal pancreatectomy for benign or malignant causes were evaluated in terms of tumor characteristics and perioperative outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data from a total of 27 distal pancreatectomy cases performed for benign or malignant causes in the General Surgery Department between January 2013 and December 2015. Groups were compared according to the demographic characteristics of patients, operation type (laparoscopic or open, with splenectomy or spleen preservation), operation time, surgical site infection (superficial, deep wound infection, or intra-abdominal abscess), pancreatic fistula development, and histopathological examination results. RESULTS: Both groups were similar in terms of age, sex, and body mass index (p=0.42). Tumor diameter was similar (p=0.18). The total number of resected lymph nodes was similar in both groups (p=0.6). Pancreatic fistula developed in one patient in each group. Mean hospital stay duration and the amount of intraoperative bleeding were similar in both groups. The laparoscopy group had a markedly lower overall morbidity rate (p=0.08). There was no mortality observed in the study subjects. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy can be safely performed as a minimally invasive procedure in experienced centers and in selected cases without increasing perioperative complication rates, particularly in benign cases. Although oncological outcomes are acceptable for malignant cases, future prospective controlled studies are necessary for more reliable evaluation.

Co-existence of acute appendicitis and inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the small intestine: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor as a rare neoplastic lesion is seen most commonly in the pulmonary system. Beside the presence of limited number of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors of the gastrointestinal tract in the literature, co-existence with acute appendicitis has not been reported before. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 27-year-old woman admitted to emergency department with acute abdominal pain at the right lower quadrant. The initial diagnosis was as acute appendicitis. Intraoperatively, a mass with a diameter of almost 5 cm originated from the distal ileal segments neighboring the appendix was seen. The patient was managed by segmental resection of the small intestine including the mass with appendectomy. Histologically, there were bundles of spindle cells accompanied by lymphoplasmocytic infiltration. The immunohistochemical studies showed that tumor cells were positive for smooth muscle actin, vimentin, perinuclear activity for anaplastic lymphoma kinase and CD 68. The final pathologic diagnosis was inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. DISCUSSION: Concomitant resection of tumoral lesions detected in the neighbor intestinal segments during appendectomy should be considered to diagnose and treat. For the diagnosis of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, immunohistochemistry pattern including positivity for actin, vimentin, CD 68 and anaplastic lymphoma kinase plays a crucial role. Therefore, detailed immunohistochemistry analysis should be performed in suspicious cases. CONCLUSION: Coexistence of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor located in the gastrointestinal system with acute appendicitis is a rare event. Complete surgical excision should be regarded as the mainstay of the treatment. Long-term follow up with serial imaging techniques is recommended.

The role of the laparoscopy on circumferential resection margin positivity in patients with rectal cancer: long-term outcomes at a single high-volume institution.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery on circumferential resection margin (CRM) involvement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data from 579 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic or open resection of rectal cancer from October 2002 to August 2008 were analyzed retrospectively. The primary endpoint was CRM status. The secondary endpoints were morbidity, local recurrence rate, overall survival, and disease-free survival. RESULTS: Laparoscopic resections were performed in 266 patients (46%), and the remainder of the patients underwent open resection. The rates of CRM involvement were similar between the laparoscopic and open groups (5.6% vs. 5.4%). The perioperative morbidity rates between the 2 groups were not significantly different (P=0.2). The incidence of local recurrence for the CRM-negative group was 8.4% (8.3% laparoscopic vs. 8.45% open; P=0.99), whereas the local recurrence rate was 34.3% for the CRM-positive group. The local recurrence rate was 20% for the CRM-positive patients in the laparoscopic group and 47% for the CRM-positive patients in the open group (P<0.001). We did not observe any significant differences in local recurrence rates between the Lap R and Open R groups after omitting CRM status. CRM positivity was correlated with both 5-year survival and the 5-year disease-free survival rate (P=0.009 and P=0.001, respectively). We did not observe any significant differences in morbidity, local recurrence, or overall or disease-free survival rates between the overall laparoscopic and open resection groups. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer is associated with similar complication rates, CRM involvement status, and long-term outcomes as those associated with open surgery but with the advantages of minimally invasive surgery. Although laparoscopic surgery might necessitate more advanced technical skills, similar long-term oncological results can be obtained with this technique.