Hand-assisted laparoscopic colon resection: review of literature and technique

Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) provides an important tool in the repertoire of a colorectal surgeon. It combines the advantages of both minimally invasive surgery and conventional open surgery. This technique offers similar short- and long-term benefits to that of straight laparoscopic procedures. HALS may shorten operative times and allow surgeons to perform a minimally invasive colorectal resection in a patient with high body mass index (BMI), bulky disease, a hostile abdomen that may otherwise be too difficult to complete laparoscopically.