Comparison of Laparoscopic and Open Surgery for Colorectal Cancer in Patients with Severe Comorbidities

Background/Aim: To evaluate the safety of laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery for patients with severe comorbidities. Patients and Methods: A total of 203 consecutive patients with severe comorbidities who underwent resection for colorectal cancer were retrospectively divided into laparoscopic and open primary resection groups. An age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index >= 6 was considered as severe comorbidity. Results: Blood loss (31 g vs. 207 g, p<0.01) and total postoperative complications (10.0% vs. 27.5%, p<0.01) in the laparoscopic group were significantly decreased compared to the open group. Incidence of postoperative ileus (0.0% vs. 7.2%, p=0.06) and length of postoperative hospital stay (11 days vs. 14 days, p=0.08) in the laparoscopic group were improved, though not significantly, compared to the open group. Conclusion: Laparoscopic resection for patients with severe comorbidities is safe, and is associated with a lower rate of overall operative complications compared to open surgery.