Tumor recurrence at a stapled-anastomosis after radical laparoscopic surgery for descending colon cancer treated successfully by laparoscopic colectomy: A case report

Abstract

Anastomosis using linear staplers following colonic resection has been increasingly used due to its convenience and technical safety. However, there have been few reports of stapled-anastomotic recurrence after curative resection for colon cancer. Here, we report a rare case of suture-line recurrence after functional end-to-end anastomosis. A 78-year-old woman underwent radical laparoscopic colectomy for advanced descending colon cancer. A postoperative 1 year follow-up colonoscopy revealed that suture-line recurrence had occurred. After the detection of early stage recurrent cancer, the patient underwent laparoscopic partial colectomy. This rare case of suture-line recurrence in functional end-to-end anastomosis possibly occurred due to tumor implantation after curative laparoscopic surgery for advanced descending colon cancer. The follow-up colonoscopy was helpful in diagnosing the anastomotic recurrence in its early stages. In addition, laparoscopic surgery for primary colon cancer led to successful laparoscopic treatment for recurrent cancer as a result of reduced bowel adhesion.