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.