CONVERSION TO OPEN SURGERY IN LAPAROSCOPIC COLORECTAL CANCER RESECTION: PREDICTIVE FACTORS AND ITS IMPACT ON LONG-TERM OUTCOMES. A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY

Laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer is the surgical option of choice provided that established oncologic principles are guaranteed [1-4].

Apart from the well-known advantages of minimally invasive surgery (shorter hospital stays, lower pain levels, faster return of bowel functions and rapid return to normal daily activities) reductions in operative morbidity and mortality have been reported together with oncologic outcomes which are similar to those of open surgery [5-7].

However, reported conversion rates to open surgery are highly variable (7% - 30%) as is the impact of conversion on oncologic outcomes [8-10]). The objectives of this study were to identify the risk factors associated with conversion and to assess their impact on operative morbidity and mortality and long-term oncologic outcomes.