Brief Article
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World J Gastroenterol. Oct 21, 2010; 16(39): 4992-4997
Published online Oct 21, 2010. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i39.4992
Five-year long-term outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer
Hai-Long Bai, Bin Chen, Yong Zhou, Xiao-Ting Wu
Hai-Long Bai, Yong Zhou, Xiao-Ting Wu, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guo Xue Rd, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
Bin Chen, Department of Gastroenterology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
Author contributions: Bai HL and Chen B performed the majority of this work; Zhou Y and Wu XT were also involved in editing the manuscript; Bai HL and Wu XT designed the study and wrote the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Xiao-Ting Wu, Professor, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guo Xue Rd, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China. wxt1@medmail.com.cn
Telephone: +86-28-85476312 Fax: +86-28-85422872
Received: May 25, 2010
Revised: July 3, 2010
Accepted: July 10, 2010
Published online: October 21, 2010
Abstract

AIM: To perform a meta-analysis to answer whether long-term recurrence rates after laparoscopic-assisted surgery are comparable to those reported after open surgery.

METHODS: A comprehensive literature search of the MEDLINE database, EMBASE database, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for the years 1991-2010 was performed. Prospective randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were eligible if they included patients with colon cancer treated by laparoscopic surgery vs open surgery and followed for more than five years.

RESULTS: Three studies involving 2147 patients reported long-term outcomes based on five-year data and were included in the analysis. The overall mortality was similar in the two groups (24.9%, 268/1075 in the laparoscopic group and 26.4%, 283/1072 in open group). No significant differences between laparoscopic and open surgery were found in overall mortality during the follow-up period of these studies [OR (fixed) 0.92, 95% confidence intervals (95% CI): 0.76-1.12, P = 0.41]. No significant difference in the development of overall recurrence was found in colon cancer patients, when comparing laparoscopic and open surgery [2147 pts, 19.3% vs 20.0%; OR (fixed) 0.96, 95% CI: 0.78-1.19, P = 0.71].

CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggests that laparoscopic surgery was as efficacious and safe as open surgery for colon cancer, based on the five-year data of these included RCTs.

Keywords: Colon cancer; Laparoscopic surgery; Open surgery; Randomized clinical trials; Meta-analysis