Abstract
Laparoscopic left colectomy (LLC) became the standard of care for treating distal transverse and descending colon cancer in many centers. Most centers use laparoscopic-assisted colectomy with extracorporeal anastomosis (LAC/EA). A totally laparoscopic colectomy with intracorporeal anastomosis (TLC/IA) has been proposed. The purpose of our study is to compare these two techniques. A series of 52 patients undergoing LLC for left-sided colon cancer was retrospectively evaluated. Thirty-three patients underwent TLC/IA, and 19 underwent LAC/EA. The following data were collected: gender, age, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists risk class, operation duration, conversion to laparotomy, intraoperative complications, postoperative complications, postoperative course (duration of stay, time to first flatus), number of excised lymph nodes, readmission, and reoperation rates. Data were prospectively recorded in a colorectal cancer database and retrospectively analyzed. The only demographic parameter that differed significantly between the groups was age (64.2±12.4years for the TLC/IA group, vs. 72.7±2.1years for LAC/EA, p=0.0116). The mini-laparotomy incision was significantly shorter in the TLC/IA than in the LAC/EA group (5.8±0.9 vs. 8.2±0.9cm, respectively, p<0.00001). Hospital stay duration was shorter in the TLC/IA group (4.2±1.2 vs. 6.3±1.9, p=0.0001). The average number of harvested lymph nodes did not differ significantly between the groups (12.9±5.7 in TLC/IA vs. 11.2±4.2 in LAC/EA, p=0.2546). No significant differences between the groups were observed in any other perioperative or surgical outcome parameters. TLC/IA in LLC for the treatment of left colon cancer is technically feasible and can be performed with a low complication rate, favorable cosmetics, and possibly shorter hospital stay, without significantly lengthening operative duration or compromising oncologic radicality principles. Although further prospective randomized studies are needed to determine its role and limitations, we encourage using it as an alternative to LAC/EA in LLC.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
