INTRODUCTION:Colorectal laparoscopic surgery is considered a procedure with long learningcurve. Despite surgeons with experience in laparoscopic surgery are able toachieve the same oncological results obtained in open procedures, it is importantto evaluate if these good results are sustained during the learning curve. Theaim of this study was to evaluate the adequacy of the margins and the lymphnodes harvest in early learning curve of laparoscopic colectomies performedby specialized surgeons compared to open colectomies.
METHODS: Thirty-three surgical specimens of laparoscopic resections forcolorectal cancer performed during the early learning curve were evaluated.The following data were analyzed: age, sex, tumor location, pathologic classification,lymph node harvest and proximal and distal margins. Data were compared to acontrol group of 45 open resections for colorectal cancer.
RESULTS: Age, tumor location and Dukes classification of laparoscopicand open groups were similar. Laparoscopic group had more female patients. Distalmargins were similar between the groups [mean of 7,15 cm (SD ± 9,98)for open and 8,26 cm (SD ± 11,5) for laparoscopic group, p=NS]. Therewas no difference in the lymph nodes harvest between the groups. The mean oflymph nodes harvest of open and laparoscopic groups were 19 (SD ± 19,41)and 21 (SD ± 14,73), respectively, (p=NS).
CONCLUSION: Oncologic margins and lymph nodes harvest obtained duringearly learning curve of laparoscopic resections were similar to open procedures.Despite the natural difficulties faced during early learning curve, oncologiccriteria can be achieved when laparoscopic colorectal resections are performedby specialized surgeons working with gastrointestinal pathology team.
