Early outcome after minilaparotomy for the treatment of rectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE

To compare early outcomes of the minilaparotomy approach to the resection of rectal cancer with those of conventional laparotomy.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

University hospital, Japan.

SUBJECTS

18 patients who had complete resection through a minilaparotomy and 20 who had a conventional laparotomy served as the study and the control groups, respectively. Patients who were overweight or morbidly obese (body mass index >25) were excluded from the study.

INTERVENTIONS

Complete resection through a skin incision less than 7 cm in length, or a conventional incision.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Early postoperative outcomes.

RESULTS

Postoperative time intervals to standing, walking, passing flatus, and removal of the urinary catheter, and analgesic requirements were significantly less in the minilaparotomy group (p = 0.007, p = 0.004, p = 0.02, p = 0.002, and p = 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The minilaparotomy for complete resection of rectal cancer is less invasive than conventional laparotomy, and provides an attractive alternative in highly selected patients who are not overweight.