Potential Usefulness of Three-dimensional Navigation Tools for the Resection of Intra-abdominal Recurrence of Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

PurposeComplete resection of intra-abdominal recurrence of colorectal cancer is difficult because of complex anatomical changes following primary surgery and indefinite cancer demarcation. Here, we demonstrate the effect of surgery using three-dimensional (3D) printed model and 3D virtual images on the achievement of complete resection. MethodsWe enrolled 11 cases who had undergone combined resection of adjacent organs for colorectal cancer recurrence, including localized peritoneal dissemination of colon cancer and local recurrence of rectal cancer, between January 2016 and July 2018. We created 3D virtual images of nine cases and 3D models of two cases and used them for intraoperative navigation. ResultsSimulation and navigation using 3D technologies potentially helped the surgeons to comprehend the complex anatomy and perform challenging surgeries. Macroscopic negative margins were achieved in all cases, including R0 resection in 8 of the 11 cases. Conclusion3D navigation tools are potentially useful to complete the resection of intra-abdominal recurrence of colorectal cancer.