Colorectal Cancer: Minimally Invasive Surgery

Antonino Spinelli

Key Concepts

  • Minimally invasive colorectal surgery has evolved considerably, especially in the last 30 years.
  • Potential advantages of a minimally invasive approach go beyond smaller incision size: reduced interference with body homeostasis has positive impacts both in the clinical and social spheres.
  • MIS for colon cancer has been well accepted for many years, but the application of MIS techniques to rectal cancer is more controversial.
  • Techniques utilized to perform proctectomy are not as mature as those to perform colectomy, and potential advantages/risks of minimally invasive proctectomy versus open proctectomy are still debated.

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Last updated: January 26, 2022