Short-Term Outcomes of Laparoscopic Colorectal Cancer Surgery at a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Single-Surgeon Experience

Objective: With advances in minimally invasive surgical techniques, the laparoscopic approach has been increasingly adopted in the treatment of colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the early clinical and surgical outcomes of laparoscopic colorectal cancer procedures performed by a single surgeon at our institution. Methods: Patients who underwent laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery at the Department of General Surgery, Pamukkale University Faculty of Medicine, between August 2024 and October 2025 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic data, tumor-related characteristics, intraoperative findings and early postoperative outcomes were collected and analyzed. Results: A total of 27 patients were included in the study. Conversion to open surgery was required in 2 patients (7.4%), while 25 patients (92.6%) underwent complete laparoscopic procedures. Among these patients, 13 (52%) were male and 12 (48%) were female, with a mean age of 62.9 years (range: 43–81). All patients were operated on for malignant disease. Tumor localization was the rectum in 13 patients (52%), the left colon in 8 patients (32%), and the right colon in 4 patients (16%). Surgical procedures included low anterior resection in 10 patients (40%), anterior resection in 7 patients (28%), right hemicolectomy in 4 patients (16%), and abdominoperineal resection in 4 patients (16%). Tumor-free surgical margins were achieved in all patients. The mean tumor diameter was 2.8 cm (range: 0.5–6.5). The mean number of harvested lymph nodes was 11.8 (range: 1–21), and lymph node metastasis was detected in 8 patients (32%). The mean operative time was 182 (150-240) minutes and the mean length of hospital stay was 8.4 days (range: 4–15). The overall complication rate was 12% (n=3). One patient (4%) experienced intraoperative ureteral injury. Postoperative complications included trocar-site hernia in one patient (4%) and surgical site infection in one patient (4%). No mortality was observed. Conclusion: The short-term outcomes of laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery in our series are consistent with the literature. When performed by experienced surgeons, laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery is a safe and effective treatment modality.