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The influence of experience on the results of treatment with laparoscopic surgery is indisputable. The establishment of indications and contraindications is relative, and varies depending on the experience of the surgeon. Learning curves have been described for a number of laparoscopic interventions, in particular laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The current prospective multicenter study investigates, among other things, the interrelation between experience and the results of treatment using laparoscopic colorectal surgery. The study makes no pronouncements on the long-term results achieved in patients with colorectal carcinoma who underwent an operation with curative intent, although relevant data were indeed collected.

Between August 1, 1995 and February 1, 1999, a total of 1,658 patients were recruited to the prospective …