Colorectal cancer - laparoscopic surgery (review)

Laparoscopic surgery (including laparoscopically assisted surgery) is recommended as an alternative to open surgery for people with colorectal cancer if: both laparoscopic and open surgery are suitable for the person and their condition their surgeon has been trained in laparoscopic surgery fo ...

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Laparoscopic surgery (including laparoscopically assisted surgery) is recommended as an alternative to open surgery for people with colorectal cancer if:

• both laparoscopic and open surgery are suitable for the person and their condition
• their surgeon has been trained in laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer and performs the operation often enough to keep his or her skills up to date.

The decision about whether to use open or laparoscopic surgery should be made after informed discussion between the patient and the surgeon. In particular, they should talk about whether the patient's condition is suitable for laparoscopic surgery, the risks and benefits of the two procedures, and the surgeon's experience.

Change to the funding directive

The NICE guidance recommends that laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer should only be performed by surgeons who have completed appropriate training in the technique, and who perform this procedure often enough to maintain competence. Given the current shortage of surgeons skilled in this technique, NICE has today (22 August 2006) advised the Department of Health that they need to consider varying the usual three month period that the NHS is required to fund NICE technology appraisal guidance. The Department of Health are considering this request and will make an announcement as soon as possible.

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