Less-invasive, laparascopic colon surgery appears to be safer

German researchers say that minimally invasive colorectal surgery using the laparascope could reduce post-surgery complications.

According to the researchers, when compared to traditional surgery, the laparascopic procedure caused less inflammation and placed less stress on the immune system.

The team from Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich, used laparoscopic surgery on 35 patients undergoing colorectal surgery, while another 35 patients received conventional surgery.

Lead researcher Dr. Matthias W. Wichmann says that even though both sets of patients experienced post-surgical inflammation, the levels were significantly higher in people who had undergone conventional operations.

However, they said the levels of natural killer cells, white blood cells that attack foreign bodies or abnormal cells, were significantly higher in people who had laparoscopic surgery, which suggests a stronger immune system.

The Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons has more information about laparoscopic surgery.

The findings are published in the July issue of Archives of Surgery.

http://archsurg.ama-assn.org/ and http://www.sls.org/