Laparoscopic ELAPE: a case report and review of the literature

Extralevator abdominoperineal excision (ELAPE) is relatively new method of surgical treatment for low and ultra-low rectal cancers. Combined with the laparoscopic technique, laparoscopic ELAPE (LELAPE) has the potential to reduce invasion and hasten postoperative recovery. A laparoscopic approach to the resection can result in fewer postoperative complications, and the modified ELAPE reduces the perineal complications, simplifies the operation and accelerates patient recovery. Here, we report thecase of a patient who underwent a laparoscopic ELAPE procedure for cancer, which was the first laparoscopic ELAPE procedure in Bosnia and Herzegovina.