Abstract:Objective:To evaluate the role of using the hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) for colectomy. Methods :The data of 50 patiens with colonic cancer treated with hand-assisted laparoscopic technique between Mar 2002 and Aug 2006 were analyzed retrospectively. Results:The rate of conversion from HALS to open surgery was 8.0%(4/50). The main reason for conversion was tumor invasion and large-sized tumor. The mean operation time was (163.8±15.1)min. The mean blood loss was (89.9±52.3)mL. The mean number of removed lymph nodes was (18.7±7.9). The mean length of the resected specimen was (30.1±6.1)cm. The mean postoperative hospital stay was (8.1±1.9) day and incision length was (6.9±0.1)cm. No operative death occurred. The mean time of follow-up was 18 months. No trocar site or incision recurrence was found. Conclusions:These results suggest that HALS colectomy for colon cancer is mini-traumatic, has less postoperative pain and recovery is fast.