Predictive Factors of Conversion in Laparoscopic Colorectal Cancer Resection

Background Laparoscopic resection is the treatment of choice for colorectal cancer. Rates of conversion to open surgery range between 7% and 30% and controversy exists as to the effect of this on oncologic outcomes. The objective of this study was to analyze what factors are predictive of conversion and what effect they have on oncologic outcomes. Material & Methods From a prospective database of patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery between 2000 and 2018 a uni- and multivariate analyses were made of demographic, pathological and surgical variables together with complementary treatments comparing purely laparoscopic resection with conversions to open surgery. Overall and disease-free survival were compared using the Kaplan-Meier method.