Is laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery safe in patients with previous major abdominal surgery?

INTRODUCTION: Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has been performed safely for the past three decades. How-ever, sometimes performing MIS is challenging such as in patients with the previous abdominal surgery (PAS). Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic colorectal surgery (LCS) in patients with only major PAS.
METHODS: Data from 59 patients who underwent LCS performed by a single surgeon between 2019 and 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups; those with major PAS (PAS group, n=19, 32.2%) and those were not (NPS group, n=40, 67.8%). Demographics, previous medical and surgical history, and perioperative data were evaluated and compared between groups.
RESULTS: The median operation time was 180 (120–240) min and it was significantly longer in the PAS group (p<0.001). The post-operative serious complication and mortality rates were not significantly different be-tween the groups.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: We found that LCS, which is a complex surgery, can be performed safely even after major PAS, despite the prolongation of hospital stay and operation time and the increase in the number of ports used.