Topic Highlight
Copyright ©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. May 7, 2014; 20(17): 4900-4907
Published online May 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i17.4900
Role of laparoscopy in rectal cancer: A review
Ido Mizrahi, Haggi Mazeh
Ido Mizrahi, Haggi Mazeh, Department of Surgery, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem 91240, Israel
Author contributions: Mizrahi I and Mazeh H contributed to the conception of the study, literature review and data acquisition, drafting of the manuscript, and approval of final version.
Correspondence to: Haggi Mazeh, MD, Department of Surgery, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Mount Scopus, PO BOX 24035, Jerusalem 91240 Israel. hmazeh@hadassah.org.il
Telephone: +972-2-5844550 Fax: +972-2-5844584
Received: October 28, 2013
Revised: December 7, 2013
Accepted: January 14, 2014
Published online: May 7, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: Despite its endorsement for colon cancer resection, laparoscopy for rectal cancer resection is still considered investigational. This is mainly due to initial concerns regarding the feasibility of laparoscopy to achieve an adequate total mesorectal excision specimen. These concerns have been raised following early studies demonstrating higher rates of circumferential margins positivity following laparoscopic resection, as compared to open surgery. In this review, we explore the current relevant literature regarding laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer, with respect to oncologic efficacy and short and long term benefits.