El Amrani M, Clement G, Lenne X, et al. - The rates of postoperative complications and failure to rescue (FTR) after laparoscopy vs open proctectomy for cancer were investigated. Between 2012 and 2016, they identified a total of 44,536 patients who underwent proctectomy for inclusion; 7,043 of these patients (15.8%) developed major complications. Observations revealed significantly higher rates of major complications, postoperative mortality and FTR in open vs laparoscopic procedure. Patients operated on by open proctectomy were noted to be at higher risk of dying when complications occurred.