PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to examine all laparoscopic right hemicolectomies performed for cancer in our unit and to compare them with a case control series of open right hemicolectomies, with emphasis on long term survival. METHODS: In a retrospective case control series of right hemicolectomies, those done laparoscopically were compared with an age matched and stage matched series of patients who underwent open surgery. Survival was analyzed with the Kaplan Meier method. RESULTS: Ninety nine patients were included in the study, 33 laparoscopic and 66 open. Mean age 69.7 years. Dukes staging was the same between the two groups and mean follow up period was 65.7 months. There were six laparoscopic conversions. The number of days patients were kept nil by mouth was significantly less in the laparoscopic cohort, with a mean of 2.4 days vs. a mean of 3.65 days (P = 0.005, Mann Whitney U test). The number of days during which patients required parenteral opiates was significantly less in the laparoscopic cohort, with a mean number of days of 2.5, in contrast to 4.5 days in the open group (P = 0.008, Mann Whitney U test). When overall survival was compared between the open and laparoscopic groups, no difference was found, with a mean overall survival of 40 months in the laparoscopic cohort and 39.4 months in the open cohort (P = 0.348, log rank test). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for cancer does not compromise long term survival and affords the advantage of a shorter period of postoperative ileus and decreased analgesia requirements. PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to examine all laparoscopic right hemicolectomies performed for cancer in our unit and to compare them with a case control series of open right hemicolectomies, with emphasis on long term survival. METHODS: In a retrospective case control series of right hemicolectomies, those done laparoscopically were compared with an age matched and stage matched series of patients who underwent open surgery. Survival was analyzed with the Kaplan Meier method. RESULTS: Ninety nine patients were included in the study, 33 laparoscopic and 66 open. Mean age was 69.7 years. Dukes staging was the same between the two groups and mean follow up period was 65.7 months. There were six laparoscopic conversions. The number of days patients were kept nil by mouth was less less in the laparoscopic cohort, with a mean of 2.4 days vs. a mean of 3.65 days (P = 0.005, Mann Whitney U test). The number of days during which patients required parenteral opiates was significantl y less in the laparoscopic cohort, with a mean number of days of 2.5, in contrast to 4.5 days in the open group (P = 0.008, Mann Whitney U test). When overall survival was compared between the open and laparoscopic groups, no difference was found, with a mean overall survival of 40 months in the laparoscopic cohort and 39.4 months in the open cohort (P = 0.348, log rank test). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for cancer does not compromise long term survival and affords the advantage of a shorter period of postoperative ileus and decreased analgesia requirements.