Dr John Lumley MCCS, FRACS1
1 The Wesley Hospital
Laparoscopic surgery as the standard?
There is growing use of laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer in Australia over recent years, but without reliable evidence of its safety, efficacy and long-term effectiveness when compared with open surgery
Advantages
While there are potential advantages of laparoscopic surgery in terms of less time in hospital, smaller scars and less post-operative morbidity, these advantages are less established for the treatment of rectal cancer
Evidence
Before laparoscopic procedures become recommended as standard, it is essential that reliable evidence is obtained that shows laparoscopic surgery is at least equivalent to open surgery in terms of pathological results, patient-rated and long-term clinical outcomes
The A La CaRT study was performed by 26 colorectal surgeons in Australia and New Zealand. It compares open to laparoscopic pelvic dissections for rectal cancer. The main basis of comparison is based on pathological examination of the resected specimen. Long term survival and tumour recurrences will also be monitored. This study parallels a study from the United States- Z6051. Results from both will be presented.
Biography:
Dr John Lumley MCCS, FRACS is a Colorectal Surgeon with a special interest in laparoscopic surgery and pelvic floor dysfunction. He has been practicing at The Wesley Hospital since 1992.
After gaining his surgical qualifications, Dr Lumley undertook additional training in the Australian Post Fellowship Colorectal Training Scheme. Dr Lumley is experienced in all aspects of laparoscopic colorectal surgery, sacral nerve stimulation for faecal incontinence and pelvic floor disorders with access to colorectal diagnostics.
Dr Lumley has been involved with teaching laparoscopic colorectal surgery since its inception 20 years ago. He continues to be involved with research on aspects of colorectal cancer. He is a member of the Australian Medical Association, the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, and a member of the Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand.