To investigate the feasibility, safety, short- and long-term prognosis of laparoscopic surgery combined with complete mesocolic excision (CME) for right colon cancer.

A retrospective analysis of sixty-six colon cancer patients undergoing radical surgery from January 2008 to May 2013 was performed. 26 cases were treated by laparoscopic surgery (laparoscopic group) and 40 cases by open surgery (open group). The differences of clinical pathology and survival data were compared between the two groups.

There were no significant differences between the two groups in the demographic and clinicopathological data. In laparoscopic group, the amount of blood loss was significantly less than the open group [(31.6±6.8) ml vs (68.9±21.5) ml, t=8.552, P<0.001]. In open group, (17.6±3.3) medals of lymph node were harvested, significantly less than the laparoscopic group [(20.6±4.8) medals, t=3.012, P=0.004], but there was no statistical significance in the two groups in the number of positive lymph node (t=0.391, P=0.697). Laparoscopic surgery could significantly improve the recovery of gastrointestinal function. Incidence of postoperative complication in laparoscopic group and open group was simi (11.5% vs 20.0%, χ²=0.812, P=0.367). The cumulative overall survival rate at 3- and 5-year in the laparoscopic group was 80.2% and 57.2%, with no significant difference compared to 75.0% and 62.9% in the open group (P=0.830).

Laparoscopic assisted right-hemicolectomy with CME for colon carcinoma is safe and effective. Compared to open operation, it has better short-term and similar long-term prognosis.