The colon and rectum have many different diseases that can be treated by open or laparoscopic surgical techniques. Surgeons need a long incision on the abdomen skin for intraabdominal operations. Depending on this long incision, the length of hospitalization and the time to return to normal daily activities are prolonged. By using advanced technology in laparoscopic surgery, a long incision can be avoided and the malign and benign diseases of the small and large intestines can be successfully treated.
In laparoscopic surgery, surgeon opens an incision of 0.5 cm width and inserts a thin metal telescope called laparoscope into the abdomen. Surgeon evaluates the intra-abdominal regional, state of the disease and its extent using the laparoscope and starts the operation by placing other surgical tools inside from the other small incisions. Diseases intestinal segments are also removed from these incisions.
In laparoscopic surgery, it is aimed to perform same surgical stages with the conventional surgery for successful surgical treatment of the disease. Therefore, laparoscopic surgery experience is of crucial importance for a successful surgery.
As the incision is very small in laparoscopic surgery, hospitalization periods and post-op pain are decreased, and time to return to daily life is reduced. In addition, surgical scars are far less in laparoscopy.
Every patient or disease may not be suitable for laparoscopic surgery. Successful surgery is the main concern for patients and surgeons, regardless of the technique applied. As shown by the studies comparing laparascopic and conventional surgeries, both techniques have similar long term results in experienced center for colon and rectum cancers, however, recovery in laparoscopic surgery is faster.