Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy due to colon cancer D. Kanellos • M. G. Pramateftakis • G. Vrakas • P. Hatzigianni • S. Agelopoulos • T. Tsachalis • Z. Koukouritaki • D. Raptis • I. Kanellos Published online: 10 August 2010 Ó Springer-Verlag 2010 Abstract Aim The aim of this study is to present our patients with laparoscopic right hemicolectomy due to cancer. Patients and methods Between 2005 and 2009, laparo- scopic right hemicolectomy for cancer was performed in 9 patients. Results The average operative time was 168 min. The average hospital stay was 5.3 days. There was one con- version (11.1%) to an open procedure. There were no postoperative complications. All the patients remain so far with no signs of tumor recurrence. Conclusion Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for cancer in the hands of an experienced laparoscopic surgeon is a safe and efficient procedure. Keywords Colon cancer Á Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy Introduction Laparoscopic colon resection is an advanced surgical technique. Patients who undergo laparoscopic colectomy, when compared prospectively with patients undergoing open colectomy, show consistently shorter hospital stays, shorter durations of postoperative narcotics use, and decreased intervals until return of bowel function and oral intake [1–5]. The aim of this study is to present our patients with laparoscopic right hemicolectomy due to cancer. Patients and methods This was a retrospective analysis of recorded data on an intention-to-treat basis using non-parametric methods. General exclusion criteria were similar to those used in major trials, such as the Colon cancer Laparoscopic or Open Resection (COLOR) and Clinical Outcomes of Sur- gical Therapy (COST) [2, 3]. Between 2005 and 2009, laparoscopic right hemicolec- tomy for cancer was performed in 9 patients (5 men, 4 women) of mean age 72, 3 years (range, 55–79 years). In the preoperative evaluation, all patients underwent blood tests, chest X-ray, colonoscopy, and abdominal computed tomography for staging purposes. Preoperative bowel preparation with polyethylene glycol was routinely performed. All operations were performed by 1 senior surgeon experienced in colorectal surgery. The vascular pedicle was transected and then the relevant segment of the bowel was mobilized using ligasure. A right paramedian 5–6 cm inci- sion was used to deliver the specimen under the protection of a ‘wound protector’. The anastomosis of the bowel was carried out in a single layer (vicryl 3-0) extra-corporeally. Results The average operative time was 168 min (115–210 min). The average hospital stay was 5.3 days (4–6 days). There was one conversion (11.1%) to an open procedure because of uncontrollable bleeding from the ileocolic vessels. D. Kanellos Á M. G. Pramateftakis (&) Á G. Vrakas Á P. Hatzigianni Á S. Agelopoulos Á T. Tsachalis Á Z. Koukouritaki Á D. Raptis Á I. Kanellos Surgical Department, European Medical Center, Antheon 1, Panorama, 55236 Thessaloniki, Greece e-mail: mpramateftakis@hotmail.com 123 Tech Coloproctol (2010) 14 (Suppl 1):S71–S72 DOI 10.1007/s10151-010-0625-9