The Aim: The aim of the retrospective study is to present outcomes of introduction of minimally invasive colorectal surgical techniques in a local surgical clinic. Material and Methods: The author assessed the subjects indications for laparoscopic resections of the left hemicolon and rectum, according to the following criteria: diagnosis, age, ASA, BMI, preceeding intraabdominal procedures. Surgical tactics, techniques and locating diagnostic proccdures are described in the study. Furthermore, duration of the procedures, postoperative complications and duration of hospitalization is recorded. Results: From October 2006 to April 2007, 12 subjects (6 males and 6 females) aged between 48 and 78 years, were indicated for laparoscopic resections of the colon and rectum. The diagnoses included rectal carcinomas (5x), sigmoid carcinomas (3x), a lienal flexure carcinoma (1x), relapsing diverticulitis of the sigmoid (2x) and a rectal prolaps (1x). ASA 2..7x, ASA 3..3x, ASA 4..2x. In a single subject, the procedure was converted due to a voluminous rectal carcinoma. The laparoscopically completed procedures lasted for 156 to 317 minutes. Postoperative complications included: postanaesthetic respiratory depression, transient paresis of the n. radialis l.dx., n. fibularis l.dx. and contusion of the right thenar.The hospitalization duration ranged from 9 to 18 days. The number of removed lymphonodes in malignancies was from 3 to 11. Conclusion: Conditions of a local surgery do not prevent safe introduction of laparoscopic colorectal procedures, providing thorough training is provided and the patients selected.

        Key words: general surgery – colorectal surgery – laparoscopic resection