Perioperative Outcomes of the Laparoscopic Treatment for Colorectal Cancer at the Clinic for Digestive Surgery Skopje, in a 5-Year Interval

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer related death in the world, and its incidence is rising in developing nations. Taking into account the increase in the incidence of this disease, the purpose of this review was to evaluate perioperative outcomes (in the first 30 days after surgery) for laparoscopic treatment of this malignancy, a treatment that is steadily becoming standard of patient care in the world. Our review showed that at the Clinic for Digestive Surgery, from 2015 to 2019, 115 patients with colorectal cancer were treated laparoscopically. The figures show a growing trend during this period. 10% of all colorectal cancers in 2019 were completed laparoscopically. In most cases (88.7%) tumor staging was pT2 and pT3. Perioperative outcomes showed wound infection in 2 patients, pulmonary complications in 1, anastomotic leakage in 1, bleeding in 1 patient, no readmission, and no mortality. The rate of conversion to open access is 5.7%, the operating time was 198 minutes on average, the average number of hospital stays was 9 days, and the average number of extirpated lymph nodes 13. There was no need for blood transfusion. Perioperative results for laparoscopic treatment of colorectal cancer at our institution show a low morbidity and mortality rate in these patients, with a clearly rising number in laparoscopically operated patients each year. Long term results are yet to be seen. Follow up with these patients will provide results later.