As a result of the obvious benefits of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, minimally invasive techniques have been applied to more complex gastrointestinal procedures, including colorectal resections. The goal in adapting laparoscopic techniques for colorectal surgery is to offer an operation that results in less pain, shorter hospital stay, more rapid return to normal activities, and improved cosmesis compared with conventional operation. The challenge has been to show that this can be done safely and efficiently and that for cancer patients there is no detrimental oncologic effect. The major issues that have been and continue to be addressed are (1) whether an adequate resection can be performed laparoscopically, (2) whether there is a high rate of wound or port site recurrence following these operations, and (3) whether, by using these techniques, we are trading short-term benefits for a poor long-term oncologic outcome. To answer these fundamental questions, several prospective randomized trials have been conducted and several more are under way. The results of these trials indicate that, in terms of cancer outcome, there is no difference in overall survival, disease-free survival, and wound recurrences in patients treated using laparoscopic techniques compared with conventional operation. In addition, there are short-term benefits associated with the use of these techniques. It can now be said that from an oncologic standpoint, in experienced hands, laparoscopic colectomy for curable colon cancer is equivalent to conventional therapy, and it is superior to conventional operation regarding short-term outcomes. Laparoscopic colectomy for colon cancer should be offered to appropriately selected patients. KEYWORDS: Laparoscopy, colon cancer, laparoscopic colectomyObjectives: Upon completion of this article, the reader should be able to understand the evolution and current role of minimally invasive surgery in the treatment of colon cancer.Worldwide, colon cancer is the second most common gastrointestinal malignancy.1 Surgery is the basis of treatment for most patients with colon cancer and the primary component of any curative treatment plan. Overall, more than 50% of colon cancer patients are cured by surgery alone. It is no surprise, then, that a basic and critical issue in the care of colon cancer patients is the conduct of the colon cancer operation.

Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is a commonly experienced side effect of those utilizing narcotic pain medication. The current treatment for OIC commonly consists of stool softeners and bowel stimulants which often leads to abdominal bloating and discomfort ultimately resulting in uncomfortable bowel movements and loose stools. We present a novel approach to the treatment of acute OIC after abdominoplasty in patients taking narcotic pain medication utilizing a wellknown medication currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of OIC in adult patients with chronic noncancer pain.