Evaluation of early outcome of laparoscopic versus open left hemicolectomy in patients with left colon cancer

Abstract

Background Colorectal cancer is a prominent global health concern, and while laparoscopic surgeries offer minimally invasive benefits, there is a noted underrepresentation of left-sided colon cancer in current research. This study seeks to bridge the gap by assessing the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic (LC) versus open left hemicolectomy (OC) in patients with left-side colon cancer. Patients and methods This prospective, nonrandomized study was conducted from May 2020 to May 2022 at Menoufia University Hospital and Damanhur Medical National Institute, enrolling 40 patients diagnosed with left-sided colonic carcinoma. Participants were divided into two groups: 20 underwent LC, and 20 had OC. The primary outcomes were operative time, blood loss, and incision length, with several secondary outcomes like analgesic needs and postoperative hospital stay. Results Both groups showed no significant differences in age, BMI, and other demographic characteristics. However, intraoperatively, the OC group completed procedures significantly faster than the LC group, with average times of 2.58 h compared with 4.48 h (P<0.001). Postoperatively, the LC group showed faster recovery, taking 2.35 days (P=0.019) to resume a liquid diet compared with 4.45 days for the OC group and 2.35 days (P<0.001) to pass the first flatus versus 3.45 days in the OC group. The LC group also had a shorter hospital stay, averaging 4.1 days compared with the OC’s 8.75 days (P<0.001), and harvested a higher number of lymph nodes (13 vs. 11.85, P<0.001). Conclusion The findings of this study demonstrate that LC and OC were comparable as regards intraoperative and postoperative complications. On the other hand, LC was considered a good and effective method for resection of left colonic carcinoma as it has many benefits, such as early recovery and short hospital stay.