Patients interested in minimally invasive colon surgery for colon cancer should find a surgeon who is experienced in minimally invasive colon surgery. Following is a list of questions you should discuss with your surgeon to determine whether he/she is qualified to perform the procedure and if you are a likely candidate for this type of surgery.

1. Do you perform minimally invasive colon surgery?

2. Are you board certified? Which board? Which state?

Surgeons should be certified by a national surgical board approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties.  

3. How many laparoscopic colon surgeries have you performed overall?  

Based upon the COST¹¹ trial, pre-requisite experience should include at least 20 laparoscopic colorectal resections for benign colon disease or metastatic colon cancer before using the technique to treat curable cancer.  

4. Have you received advanced training in laparoscopic surgical techniques?

5. What have you seen in terms of patient outcomes with this procedure?  

6. What is the most common complication you have encountered with this procedure?

7. Am I a candidate for a laparoscopic colon procedure?

8. What are the benefits of minimally invasive colon surgery?

9. What are the risks associated with this procedure?

10. What will my recovery time be like following this procedure?