Trends and Outcomes in Laparoscopic Versus Open Surgery for Rectal Cancer

Minimally invasive surgery and specialized technique for performing surgery using smaller incisions (or ports) to enter into the abdomen or anus for a tubular instrument(trochar), and a special camera (laparoscope), which is passed through the trochars to visualize the colon.

Surgery performed through a single long incision (cut) in the abdomen (belly) to access the colon and/or the rectum.