[Laparoscopic colon operations for endoscopically unremovable polyps and tumors].

The use of laparoscopy in colorectal surgery is expanding. Minimally invasive surgery of benign lesions is widely accepted and can be performed with good results even during the learning curve. After gaining adequate expertise one can remove polyps which can not be treated with a colonoscope and early colonic carcinomas. We performed 16 laparoscopic resections for colon polyps and early carcinomas between December 2002 and March 2005. On one occasion a benign polyp was removed through mini laparotomy after colotomy; 13 resections and 2 subtotal colectomies were performed. One conversion due to intraoperative bleeding and one reoperation for anastomotic leak was necessary. One patient died after late postoperative mesenteric artery occlusion but if there was no complication definite advantages of the minimally invasive technique were observed. The laparoscopic approach can safely be used in selected patients. After training in the standard surgical procedure one can proceed to more radical surgery in adequately controlled studies.