Outcome following laparoscopic and open total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer

Background: There are few reports on the oncological quality of resection and outcome after laparoscopic versus open total mesorectal excision (TME) for rectal cancer in everyday surgical practice. Methods: Between January 2006 and October 2011, data for patients with mid or low rectal adenocarcinoma who underwent elective TME were recorded in the PROCARE database. A multivariable model and the propensity score as a co-variable in Cox or logistic regression models were used for adjustment of differences in patient mix and non-random assignment of surgical approach. Results: Data for 2660 patients from 82 hospitals were recorded. Implementation of laparoscopic TME was highly variable. The oncological quality of resection was similar in the laparoscopic and the open group: incomplete mesorectal excision in 132 and 114 per cent respectively, circumferential resection margin positivity in 181 per cent, and a median of 11 lymph nodes examined per specimen in both groups. The hazard ratio for survival after laparoscopic versus open TME was 105 (95 per cent confidence interval 088 to 124) after correction for differences in patient mix, and 106 (089 to 125) after correction for the propensity score. The definitive colostomy rate was similar in the two groups: 310 per cent after open and 314 per cent after laparoscopic TME. Postoperative morbidity was lower and length of stay was shorter after laparoscopic TME compared with open TME. Survival was not negatively affected by converted laparoscopic resection, whereas postoperative morbidity, mortality and length of stay after converted laparoscopy were comparable with those after open TME. Conclusion: Oncological outcome is comparable after laparoscopic and open TME in everyday surgical practice.