OBJECTIVE The aim of the study is to relate our five years experience with laparoscopic colorectal surgery. METHODS One hundred-thirteen procedures were performed between October 1990 and February 1996, 7% of which were performed as emergencies. Elective indications (93%) included 45 cancers, 31 cases of diverticulosis, 18 cases of benign tumor, and 11 other reasons. Procedures performed were sigmoidectomy (61 cases), rectal resection (12 cases), segmental colectomy (15 cases), right hemicolectomy (14 cases) and restoration of continuity following a Hartmann's procedure (5 cases) and miscellaneous (6 cases). RESULTS Operative complications occurred in 14% of the cases. The conversion rate to laparotomy was 6%. Post operative complications occurred in 14% of the patients. Reoperation was performed in 7% of the cases and overall mortality was 1.7%. Mean length of hospital stay was 9.6 days. Long-term oncology results demonstrated no recurrence for DUKES stage A disease followed-up from 5 to 65 months, and 2 recurrence on 11 DUKES B or C. All DUKES D patients died in an average of 17 months. No abdominal wall metastases were seen during the follow-up period in 45 patients with cancer who were treated. CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopic colo-rectal surgery is technically feasible and has an acceptable complication rate. The best indications are treatment of benign disorders, principally excision of polyps and treatment of uncomplicated diverticulosis. This is also a good approach to treat degenerated polyps (DUKES A). The procedure should be assessed in curative excision of DUKES B or C disease.