To investigate the conversion timing in laparoscopic radical surgery, safety and 3-year survival of patients with colorectal cancer.

Retrospective cohort study were performed in 75 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent laparoscopic radical resection from January 2015 to January 2017. 43 patients underwent conversion to open surgery within 1 hour after laparoscopic surgery, were divided into the early group. 32 patients underwent conversion to open surgery > 1 hour after laparoscopic surgery were divided into the delayed group. Statistical analysis were performed by using SPSS 23.0 software. The perioperative related indicators and intestinal function were expressed as (±s), and were analyzed by using independent t test. Complications and survival rate were expressed as percentage and were analyzed by using χ² test or Fisher exact test The survival was calculated by using the Kaplan-meier method. A P value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant difference.

The operation time, first defecation and exhaust time, and postoperative hospital stay were shorter in the early group than those in the delayed group respectively (P<0.05), while intraoperative blood loss was less than that in the delayed group (P<0.05). At 3 months after operation, MSKCC scores in the early group were higher than those in the late group (P<0.05). Postoperative complications of 7.0% in the early group was lower than 25.0% in the delayed group. The 1, 2 and 3-year survival of 100.0%, 88.4% and 72.1% in the early group were not significantly different from 93.8%, 81.3% and 62.5% in the late group respectively (P>0.05).

The conversion to open surgery within 1 hour after laparoscopic surgery could promote the recovery of intestinal function in patients underwent radical colorectal cancer surgery, with less postoperative complications, and promote postoperative rehabilitation process, with better short-term curative effect and safety.