Although numerous studies have reported the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer, the results of large multicentre randomized controlled trials have been lacking. A study including 1,103 patients has now shown that laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer can result in similar safety, resection margins and completeness of resection with improved recovery compared with laparotomy.
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Wexner, S. Landmark study comparing surgical approaches for rectal cancer. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 10, 263–264 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2013.61
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2013.61
