The study shows similar results between the two treatments in terms of local recurrences, distant metastases, and probability of survival for rectal cancer.

Treatment of small uT2 and uT3 uN0 rectal cancers with preoperative high-dose radiotherapy followed by transanal endoscopic microsurgery is an acceptable alternative to conventional radical resection.

These results suggest that laparoscopic hemicolectomy for colonic cancer can be performed safely, with morbidity, mortality, and long-term results comparable to those of open surgery.

The results show that provided that the surgeon is highly skilled in laparoscopy, laparoscopic resection of deep pelvic endometriosis with rectosigmoid involvement is feasible and effective in nearly all patients.

Oncologic surgical principles were respected. Long-term outcome after laparoscopic resection of rectal cancer was comparable with that after conventional resection. We should wait to draw conclusive scientific statements until the completion of ongoing international randomized controlled trials.