Gastrointestinal recovery and related patient outcomes during the early postoperative period following open segmental colon resection have been extensively evaluated in previous randomized, controlled, multicenter trials. Current data in laparoscopic colectomy have been collected from retrospective, single center clinical trials which lacked standardized definitions and endpoints. Therefore, this prospective, multicenter study in LBR is being undertaken to determine how this surgical technique impacts GI recovery and related outcomes relative to the open laparotomy.