Early recurrence of adenocarcinoma of the colon after laparoscopic colectomy

Laparoscopic and video-assisted colonic resection is under evaluation to determine its effectiveness, cost, morbidity and complication rate, and control of neoplastic disease. The risk of tumour seeding at cannula sites has been reported after the incidental finding of carcinoma of the gallbladder at laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallstones. Direct contact between cancer cells and the abdominal wall has been suggested as the cause of such recurrence. Delivery of the specimen by means of a plastic bag to avoid this contact has been recommended to prevent cancer seeding. Notwithstanding these precautions, a case of isolated parietal recurrence of carcinoma of the right colon after laparoscopic right colectomy has been observed.