In a nutshell
This study compared the outcomes of laparoscopic surgery (where a few small cuts are made in the skin) and open surgery (where one or more larger cuts are made) combined with a specialized recovery program after surgery.
Some background
When compared with open surgery, laparoscopic surgery leads to fewer complications. This is especially true when patients are placed under special care after their surgery. This is known as an enhanced recovery program (ERP). An ERP also reduces the length of hospital stay. It is not clear whether an ERP following open surgery will be as effective as an ERP following laparoscopic surgery.
Methods & findings
This study looked at the benefits of patients being placed on an ERP after open surgery compared with laparoscopic surgery.
204 patients were included in this study. Half received open surgery and the other half laparoscopic surgery.
Patients who received laparoscopic surgery had a hospital stay of 5 days versus 7 days for open surgery. Patients with rectal cancer who received open surgery had slightly longer hospital stays of 5-10 days.
Both groups of patients had similar outcomes, with 31.7% of the laparscopic patients and 35.6% of the open surgery patients experiencing at least one complication. There were no differences in the rates of serious complications between the groups.
Patients’ physical and mental health, such as rates of fatigue, were found to be the same for each group after surgery.
The bottom line
The authors of this study concluded that there were few differences in the outcomes of patients receiving open or laparoscopic surgery combined with an enhanced recovery program. However, the authors recommended laparoscopic surgery, as this led to less time in hospital.
The fine print
The study would benefit from being repeated over a longer period of time.
What’s next?
Discuss the right treatment option or enhanced recovery program for you with your doctors.
Published By :
Journal of clinical oncology
Date :
May 05, 2014
