[Intraperitoneal tumor seeding in colorectal carcinoma surgery--follow-up of a comparison of laparoscopic versus open procedure].

Follow-up 71 patients during 20 months (12-29) operated on for colorectal cancer by laparoscopic or open surgery demonstrated no correlation between port-side metastases (1/35) or tumor recurrences (5/71) and intraperitoneal tumor cells. All these patients were cytologic-negative; however, all were initial in an advanced tumor stage (pT3-4, N1-3). We conclude from these results that free tumor cells during operation do not seem to influence outcome or the development of port-side metastases.