Abstract
Laparoscopic colorectal procedures offer several benefits in the postoperative period including reduction of pain, minimal impairment of pulmonary and gastrointestinal function, and improved reconvalescence. At present, laparoscopic resections for colorectal cancer are discussed controversially due to oncologic radicality, potential tumor dissemination, and the unresolved problem of port-site metastases. Oncologic standards of open surgery for colorectal cancer are not compromised by the laparoscopic technique. Short-term results of both retrospective and prospective trials comparing open with laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer showed comparable oncologic outcome related to recurrence and survival. As long as long-term results of prospective randomized trials are still missing, the crucial issue whether laparoscopic resection for colorectal cancer is oncologically equivalent to open surgery cannot be answered definitely.