Importance of conversion for results obtained with laparoscopic colorectal surgery

Abstract

Although, of itself, conversion is not considered to be a complication of laparoscopic surgery, it is true that the postoperative course after conversion is associated with appreciably poorer results in terms of morbidity, mortality, convalescence, blood transfusion requirement, and postoperative hospital stay. The importance of experience in laparoscopic surgery can be demonstrated on the basis of the conversion rates. Careful patient selection oriented to the experience of the surgeon is required if we are to keep the conversion, morbidity, and mortality rates of laparoscopic colorectal procedures as low as possible.