Short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic versus open lateral lymph node dissection for locally advanced middle/lower rectal cancer using a propensity score-matched analysis.

This study showed that laparoscopic LLND had advantages over an open approach, such as less blood loss, fewer postoperative complications, and a shorter postoperative hospital stay, and the oncologic outcomes were similar to the open approach. Laparoscopic LLND could be a viable standard approach to LLND for advanced middle/lower rectal cancer surgery.