Impact on morbidity of the open vs closed surgical technique in colon cancer: A 6-Year single-center study

Abstract

Introduction: Laparoscopic surgery is a safe alternative for colon cancer treatment and allows all the advantages of a minimally invasive procedure. The objective of the present investigation was to measure the impact on morbidity of the open vs. closed surgical technique in colon cancer.

Methodology: The study was carried out at the Solón Espinosa Ayala Hospital, in Quito-Ecuador, from March 2012 to March 2017, with a non-probabilistic sample, including elderly patients with colon cancer. Socio-demographic variables, histology, days of hospitalization, surgical bleeding, surgical time, hospital stay, surgical margins, resected lymph nodes, the start of the diet, % surgical conversion, surgical complication, recurrence, surgical morbidity, and surgical mortality are included. Univariate and bivariate descriptive statistics are used.

Results: 85 cases are analyzed; 52 underwent open surgery, and 33 underwent laparoscopic surgery. The surgical conversion was 75% due to adhesions and 25% due to duodenal infiltration. The similar surgical time is 121 to 180 minutes 61%. Laparoscopic complications 2.3% and 9.4% open (pelvic collections and intestinal fistulas 2.4% vs 1.7%). Malnutrition was not related. Start of diet 2 to 4 days 83% laparoscopic and 67% open. Hospitalization from 4 to 8 days was laparoscopic 87% and open 78%. Blood loss less than 100cc was laparoscopic in 82% and opened in 60%. Lymph node resection (+13) in laparoscopy 69.6% and open 68.1%. The proximal margin of the surgical piece by laparoscopy is 5.1 to 10cm (43.5%), by open (55.3%), the tumor recurrence of 56.2% and 52.3%. The mortality in laparoscopy surgery was 12.5%, and in open surgery was 28.8%.

Conclusion: Laparoscopy's surgical comorbidities and recovery were lower, but open surgery showed better post-surgical pathological results.