OBJECTIVETo assess the effect of laparoscopic colectomy on the exfoliated cancer cells in peritoneal cavity, recurrence and metastasis of patients with colonic carcinoma.

METHODSOne hundred and fifty-nine patients with colonic cancer proven by colonoscopy and pathology were divided into two groups based on patient's preference: laparoscopic group (n=74) and open group (n=85). The positive rate of exfoliated cancer cells in peritoneal cavity was compared by cytological detection before and after cancer resection. Recurrence, metastasis rate and 3-year survival were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe positive rates of exfoliated cancer cells in peritoneal cavity were 12.2% (9/74) in the laparoscopic group and 15.3% (13/85) in the open group before cancer resection without significant difference (P=0.718); 20.3% (15/74) and 30.6% (26/85) after cancer resection without significant difference (P=0.138). The follow-up ranged from 4 to 45 months. The 3-year local recurrence rates were 13.6% (8/59) and 8.8% (6/68) (P=0.455), the 3-year distal metastasis rates were 11.9% (7/59) and 17.6% (12/68) (P=0.416) and the 3-year survival rates were 79.7% and 80.0% (P=0.998), and the differences were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONThe laparoscopic operation does not increase the recurrence and metastasis rate and results in similar survival in patients with colonic cancer as compared to open procedure.