Aim: To compare three approaches (laparoscopic, open, and conversion of laparoscopic approach) for the management of intra-abdominal surgical complications after elective laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Materials and Method: This was a retrospective cohort study including patients who required reopera-tion due to an intra-abdominal surgical complication after initial elective laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Patients were grouped according to the reoperation approach-laparoscopic reoperation, laparoscopic reoperation that required conversion to open surgery, and open reoperation. Pre-operative variables (age, gender, ASA score, BMI, comorbidities, and surgical history), operative variables (cause of reoperation, latency for reoperation, operative time, surgery performed, and cause of conversion), and post-operative variables (intestinal transit, hospital days, ICU days, medical complications, surgical site infection, evisceration, transfusion and 30-day mortality), were compared between groups. Results: There were no significant differences between groups among the pre-operative and operative variables. In terms of post-operative variables, the laparoscopic reoperation group, had fewer hospital days (p = 0.012), fewer ICU days (p = 0.001), and faster intestinal transit regarding gas, stool and return to solid diet (p = 0.008, p = 0.029 and p = 0.030, respectively). However, there were no significant differences in surgical site in-fection, evisceration, medical complications, transfusion, and mortality. Discussion and Conclusion: This study revealed better post-operative clinical course in the laparoscopic reoperation group, with shorter hospital and ICU stay, and reduced postoperative ileus, without increased morbidity or mortality. Laparoscopic reoperation for complications after elective laparoscopic colorectal surgery may therefore be the preferred approach.