Laparoscopic vs. open surgery for rectal cancer in patients with obesity: short-term outcomes and relapse-free survival across age groups

To investigate the efficacy of laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer in obese and older patients, who are often characterized by a higher prevalence of comorbidities and physical decline.

This large-scale multicenter retrospective cohort study included 524 patients with a body mass index of 25 or higher who underwent either open or laparoscopic surgery for stage II or III rectal cancer between 2009 and 2013. We assessed the short-term outcomes and relapse-free survival by comparing these surgical modalities. The patients were stratified into 404 non-elderly (< 70 years) and 120 elderly (≥ 70 years) patients.

In both patient groups, laparoscopic surgery was associated with a significantly reduced blood loss (non-elderly: 41 vs. 545 ml; elderly: 50 vs. 445 ml) and shorter hospital stays (non-elderly: 10 vs. 19 days; elderly: 15 vs. 20 days) than open surgery. The overall complications and relapse-free survival showed no significant differences between the two surgical techniques in either age group. Additionally, the impact of the laparoscopic procedure on the relapse-free survival remained consistent between the age groups.

Laparoscopic surgery offers short-term benefits for patients with obesity and rectal cancer compared to open surgery, regardless of age, without influencing the long-term prognosis.