on the short-term outcome of laparoscopic resections performed for rectal cancer. Methods A
total of 284 patients who underwent laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer performed by 3
different surgical teams between 2005 and 2008 were included in the study. The operative
experience was represented by the team's previous surgical case numbers (frequency).
Four skill levels were categorized as follows: Level 1: the first 60 cases, Level 2: 61 to 120 …