The immunologic consequences of laparoscopy in oncology

Although the applications of minimally invasive methods have increased over the last decade, the use of laparoscopic techniques for the curative resection of malignancy remains controversial. The more obvious benefits of minimally invasive methods, such as less debilitation and faster recovery, motivated the initial performance of laparoscopic cancer resections; however, the used of closed methods in this setting raised many reasonable, oncologic questions regarding the appropriateness of such operations.