Laparoscopic Right Colectomy for Cecal Cancer

Laparoscopy has emerged as the preferred operative approach for most intra-abdominal pathologic conditions. Nonetheless, even though the first laparoscopic colectomy was reported decades ago, the majority of colectomies in the United States are still being performed via the open approach. This delay in acceptance has mainly been attributable to initial concerns regarding the adequacy of oncologic margins and trocar site recurrences believed to occur with laparoscopy - concerns now largely laid to rest by the results of large randomized controlled trials such as the Clinical Outcomes of Surgical Therapy (COST) trial. Minimally invasive colectomy has been growing in popularity.