Abstract: Objective To evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of laparoscopic surgery on colorectal cancer.Methods Clinical records from 22 cases of colorectal carcinoma treated by laparoscopic operation from January 2002 to October 2006 were studied retrospectively.The control group included 40 comparable cases that were treated by conventional surgery in the same period.Results In laparoscopic group,intraoperative blood loss,bowel function restoration time,urinary catheter removal time,out-of-bed activity time and postoperative anodyne consumption were significantly higher than those in conventional group respectively(P<0.05),while the longer mean operation time and higher hospitalization costs were observed in the laparoscopic group.No significant differences were detected between the two groups in tumor size,colorectum specimen length,distal margin and lymph node harvest.The complication rates in the two groups were 9.1% and 32.5% respectively,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Between the two groups,there were no significant differences in the rates of local recurrence,distant metastasis and mortality after operation.Conclusions Laparoscopic surgery has the same effect as traditional radical operation on colorectal cancer.It is a safe and feasible technique with less surgical trauma and quicker recovery,while with longer mean operation time and higher medical expenses.

Key words: Colorectal neoplasm, Laparoscopy, Operation