Laparoscopic surgery means surgery performed without opening up the abdominal cavity. Instead of cutting the abdomen open, surgeons operate through four or five small openings, each about a half inch wide. Several other cannulas allow the surgeon to work inside. Many different types of abdominal surgery can be completed in this fashion, including whole or partial organ removal.
Recuperation tends to be swifter when patients undergo laparoscopy as opposed to standard surgery.
The current standard treatment for colon cancer is traditional surgery. Laparoscopic surgery is not considered the ideal approach in this setting. The role of the laparoscopic technique for the treatment of colon cancer is currently being evaluated in a randomized trial comparing laparoscopy to standard surgery. Patients who have a bleeding disorder, liver disease, severe lung or cardiac disease, or symptoms suggestive of complex and advanced gastrointestinal disease should not consider laparoscopy. Patients should consult their doctor to determine whether they should be evaluated at institutions that are participating in the study.