Background and Goal of study: Literature shows that laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of colorectal cancer has advantages regarding safety and postoperative recovery (1), resulting in shorter hospitalization (2). However, there are few data about the implication of laparoscopy in the length of stay in post anesthesia care unit (PACU). This is important because it influences patient flow on the operating room (3). The goal of this study is to evaluate the impact of laparoscopic surgery on the length of stay at the hospital and at PACU. 
Materials and Methods: During a one-year period, hospital and PACU length of stay of patients submitted to elective colorectal surgery were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using T-Student model, considering p <0.05 for statistical significance.
Results and Discussion: 96 patients were included in this study. In the groups undergoing laparoscopic (n = 58) and non-laparoscopic surgery (n = 38), the mean length of stay in PACU were 133.5 (+- 57) minutes and 148 (+- 78) minutes, respectively, while mean hospitalization time were 10.2 (+- 8.2) days and 13.7 (+- 15.1) days. Length of stay in hospital and PACU was shorter in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery (p<0,05).
Conclusion: Elective colorectal surgery by laparoscopy appears to be associated with shorter length of stay at PACU and hospital. Further studies may clarify whether this conclusion extends to other types of laparoscopic surgery.
References: 1. Vacante M, Cristaldi E, Laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer: advantages and challenges, Updates in Surgery (2016); 2. Levy B, Mobasheri M, Principles of safe laparoscopic surgery, Surgery (2017); 3. Ganter et al. Perioperative Medicine (2014) 3:10


05 / Laparoscopy influence on length of stay at the post anesthesia care unit (PACU) and at the hospital, in patient submitted to laparoscopic surgery