Right-Sided versus Left-Sided Colectomies for Cancer: Surgical Outcomes and Novel Considerations

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to compare short-term outcomes of right versus left colectomies performed as a form of cancer treatment.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study includes 305 consecutive patients with adenocarcinoma treated by laparoscopic or open colectomy. Right colectomy has been compared with left colectomy. The study endpoints were the first flatus day, the first evacuation day, the first day of postoperative solid oral diet intake, and the postoperative hospital stay length.RESULTS: There were 140 (45.9%) right colectomies and 165 (54.1%) left colectomies performed. The cut-off values for the considered (median) endpoints were three, five, four, and eight days, respectively. The first day of postoperative solid oral diet intake and the length of postoperative hospital stay are significantly associated with the type of resection.CONCLUSIONS: The colon cancer patients treated by right-sided colectomy assumed a solid oral diet and presented a longer postoperative hospital stay compared with the patients treated by left-sided colectomy.