Totally Laparoscopic Left Colectomy With Preoperative Simulation Using 3D CT Angiography and Intraoperative Navigation Using the Indocyanine Green (ICG) Fluorescence Method

Abstract

Introduction Laparoscopic reconstruction after left colectomy is mostly performed with functional end-to-end anastomosis through about 5–7 cm sized incision. However, this procedure poses some problems, including increased intestinal mobilization range and parietal destruction, insufficient blood flow to the intestinal tract due to arterial arch malformation, and dominant artery dissection. In this paper, we present a case of descending colon cancer for which totally laparoscopic surgery and intracorporeal anastomosis could be performed safely with preoperative simulation and intraoperative navigation. Case presentation A 34-year-old male was complaint fecal occult blood positive and a colonoscopy was performed. The patient was diagnosed with descending colon cancer cT2N0N0 Stage I. Preoperative CT angiography findings showed that the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) branched into the left colic artery (LCA) and the sigmoid arteries (S1, S2) in order and showed LCA and S1 as the dominant arteries, and a totally laparoscopic descending colectomy (D2 dissection and S2 artery preserving) was scheduled. At his operation, for investigate blood flow of anastomotic region, ICG was used. After an intravenous injection of ICG, blood flow was evaluated and intestinal dissection was performed at the scheduled dissection line. Intracorporeal anastomosis was then performed using the overlap method and a linear stapler. Conclusion Although the intracorporeal anastomosis procedure has a high degree of difficulty, the use of preoperative simulation and intraoperative navigation may reduce the surgeon's intraoperative stress and enable safe and accurate intestinal dissection and anastomosis in the totally laparoscopic surgery.