Complications in laparoscopic colorectal surgery: results of a multicentre trial

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Abstract
We present a prospective observational multicentre study of 4834 consecutive cases undergoing laparoscopic colorectal procedures. The study was initiated on 1 August 1995, with centres from Germany, Austria and Switzerland participating. All patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery were included, and no selection criteria were applied. Between August 1995 and April 2004, the participating centres treated 4834 patients. Three thousand, one hundred and sixty-six operations were performed for benign indications, and 1668 for cancer, with most operations being done for diverticulitis (2019, 41.8%). The conversion rate was 5.6%, and the overall morbidity was 20.1%. Intra-operative complications occurred in 5.9%, postoperative complications in 14.0%, and the overall anastomotic leak rate was 3.1% (colon 2.6%, rectum 11.9%). The 30-day mortality rate was 1.3%. It has been our experience that laparoscopic surgery for colorectal disease is safe. Morbidity and mortality are comparable to those of conventional colorectal surgery.

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