Laparoscopic hemicolectomy is currently being evaluated as a treatment in colonic cancer. It is used particularly on the right side of the colon.
Problems with the technique include learning curves for the surgeons performing the procedure, problems with handling of bowel, handling of tumour, and prevention of contamination.
The question remains as to whether the procedure is valid on an oncological level i.e. are the correct margins resected, are the lymph nodes accurately harvested, and is there more seeding with this technique or is open removal better.
However, it does seem that laparoscopic hemicolectomy is a less stressful procedure for the patient.
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