Splenic flexure cancer: is right extended hemicolectomy better than left hemicolectomy?

Abstract

There is no consensus on the optimal surgery for splenic flexure cancers. Review of a prospectively maintained database of patients with splenic flexure cancer undergoing either a right extended hemicolectomy or left hemicolectomy at a tertiary care cancer hospital from 14.5.2010 to 16.9.2021. The primary outcome measures were postoperative morbidity and hospital stay with secondary outcomes being overall survival, disease-free survival, and long-term patient reported functional and quality of life outcomes. The demographic variables were evenly distributed between groups, and median follow-up was 44 months. The groups were comparable in terms of postoperative morbidity (Clavien-Dindo complication ≥ 3a 10.6% vs 10%, p = 0.322) and hospital stay (8 days vs 7 days, p = 0.316). Oncological outcomes were similar in both groups (3-year disease-free survival 71.8% vs 67.8%, p = 0.877, and 3-year overall survival 83.9% vs 75.8%, p = 0.787), and long-term patient-reported functional outcomes were excellent in both groups. Oncological outcomes, post operative morbidity, and long-term patient reported functional outcomes are comparable in patients undergoing either a right extended or left hemicolectomy for splenic flexure cancer.