Document Classification

Section Type: RESULTS

Text: The circumferential resection margin was clear in 222 patients (93 %) in the laparoscopic surgery group and in 228 patients (97 %) in the open surgery group (risk difference of -3. 7 % [95 % CI, -7. 6 % to 0. 1 %] ; P =. 06), the distal margin was clear in 236 patients (99 %) in the laparoscopic surgery group and in 234 patients (99 %) in the open surgery group (risk difference of -0. 4 % [95 % CI, -1. 8 % to 1. 0 %] ; P =. 67), and total mesorectal excision was complete in 206 patients (87 %) in the laparoscopic surgery group and 216 patients (92 %) in the open surgery group (risk difference of -5. 4 % [95 % CI, -10. 9 % to 0. 2 %] ; P =. 06).