Laparoscopic Splenic Flexure Mobilization Research Articles

Pancreatic injuries following laparoscopic splenic flexure mobilization.

To call awareness to pancreatic injury occurring following laparoscopic splenic flexure mobilization (LSFM) and to discuss the mechanisms which led to such an injury. Retrospective review of patients who underwent LSFM as part of their colectomy procedure and sustained pancreatic injuries at a colorectal surgery referral center during 2014-2021. Of 1022 (0.6%) LSFM performed during the study period, six (0.6%) patients were identified in which clinically significant injuries to the pancreas occurred. Two patients had partial transection of the tail of the pancreas and underwent laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy during the index operation. Three patients developed a post-operative pancreatic fistula after their pancreatic injury went undiagnosed during surgery and required percutaneous drainage, one of whom eventually required a distal pancreatectomy for a persistent pancreatic fistula. Another patient developed a peripancreatic fluid collection which resolved with conservative treatment. Pancreatic injury is rare and a potentially major complication of LSFM. Anatomical misperception, retroperitoneal bleeding, a large bulky splenic flexure tumor, and a "difficult flexure" were recognized as possible mechanisms of such injury.

Laparoscopic Approaches to Splenic Flexure Mobilization Tailored According to Disease- and Patient-Related Factors

AbstractEarly in the 1990s, minimally invasive surgery manifested in laparoscopic surgery found its way to the field of colorectal surgery. Since then, a rising trend in utilizing laparoscopic approach in colorectal surgery, either for benign or malignant disease, is being noticed. In laparoscopic colorectal surgery, the most difficult and challenging step for colorectal surgeons is the mobilization of the splenic flexure. Laparoscopic mobilization of the splenic flexure is an area of debate, with no universally accepted gold standard approach. Multiple approaches have been described in the medical literature and no approach is considered the standard approach. Hence, colorectal surgeons should be familiar with all the different approaches and they should have the ability of utilizing a tailored splenic flexure mobilization approach modified according to patient- and disease-related factors. Herein, we review the different surgical approaches to laparoscopic splenic flexure mobilization that can be tailored to the surgeons needs according to patient- and disease-related factors.

A video guide of five access methods to the splenic flexure: the concept of the splenic flexure box.

The aim of this study was to describe all the possible approaches for laparoscopic splenic flexure mobilization (SFM), each suitable for specific situations, and create an illustrated system to show SFM approaches in an easy and practical way to make it easy to learn and teach. Two different phases. First part: Cadaver-based study of the colonic splenic flexure anatomy. In order to demonstrate the different approaches, a balloon was placed through the colonic hepatic flexure in the lesser sac without sectioning any of the fixing ligaments of the splenic flexure. Second part: A real case series of laparoscopic SFM. First part: 11 cadavers were dissected. Five potential approaches to SFM were found: anterior, trans-omentum, lateral, medial infra-mesocolic, and medial trans-mesocolic. The illustrative system developed was named: Splenic Flexure "Box"(SFBox). Second part: One of the types of SFM described in first part was used in five patients with colorectal cancer. Each laparoscopic approach to the splenic flexure was illustrated in a video accompanied by illustration aids delineating the access. With the cadaver dissection and subsequent demonstration in real-life laparoscopic surgery, we have shown five types of laparoscopic splenic flexure mobilization. The Splenic Flexure "Box" is a useful way to learn and teach this surgical maneuver.

Feasibility and safety of the medial approach "four-step method" in the laparoscopic mobilization of splenic flexure

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and safety of the medial approach "four-step method" in the laparoscopic mobilization of splenic flexure. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed. Clinical data of 157 colorectal cancer patients undergoing the medial approach "four-step method" in the laparoscopic mobilization of splenic flexure at Gastrointestinal Surgical Department of Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from July 2015 to June 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Of 157 cases, 17 were transverse colon cancer, 94 were descending colon cancer, 25 were sigmoid cancer and 21 were rectal cancer; 89 were male and 68 were female; mean age was (61.8±10.3) years and mean body mass index was (23.2±3.7) kg/m(2). The medial approach "four-step method" in the laparoscopic mobilization of splenic flexure was performed as follows: (1) The root vessels were treated with the "provocation" technique to expand the Toldt's gap. This expansion was extended from the lateral side to the peritoneum reflex of left colonic sulcus, from the caudal side to the posterior rectal space, and from the cephalad side to the lower edge of pancreas. (2) The left colonic sulcus was mobilized, converging with the posterior Toldt's gap. Mobilization was carried out from cephalad side to descending colon flexure, freeing and cutting phrenicocolic ligament and splenocolic ligament, and from caudal side to peritoneal reflex. (3) Gastrocolic ligament was moblized. Whether to enter the great curvature of stomach omentum arch when the gastrocolic ligament was cut, that was, whether to clean the fourth group of lymph nodes, should be according to the tumor site and whether serosal layer was invaded. (4) Transverse mesocolon was moblized and transected at the lower edge of the pancreatic surface, merging with the posterior Toldt's gap, and from lateral side to lower edge of the pancreatic body, merging with the lateral left paracolonic sulcus. Safety and short-term clinical efficacy of this surgical procedure was summarized. Results: All the patients completed this procedure. During operation, 3 cases were complicated with organ injury, including 1 case of colon injury, 1 case of spleen injury and 1 case of pancreas injury. No operative death and conversion to open surgery was found. The average operation time was (147.5±35.1) minutes, the average intra-operative blood loss was (40.8±32.7) ml and the average number of harvested lymph node was (16.1±5.8), including (4.0±2.3) of positive lymph nodes. The first exhaust time after surgery was (41.3±20.6) hours, the fluid intake time was (1.5±1.3) days, the postoperative hospital stay was (5.2±2.3) days. Eight (5.1%) cases developed postoperative complications, and all were improved and discharged after conservative treatments. According to the TNM classification system, postoperative pathology revealed that 31 patients were stage I, 51 were stage II, 53 were stage III, 22 were stage IV. Conclusion: The medial approach "four-step method" is safe and feasible, which can effectively decrease the operation difficulty of the laparoscopic mobilization of the splenic flexure.

Three Surgical Approaches of Laparoscopic Splenic Flexure Mobilization.

Splenic flexure mobilization during laparoscopic colorectal surgery, which is used for elongation of the remaining colon after resecting the left colon or rectum, is sometimes essential for making a secure anastomosis without tension. However, laparoscopic splenic flexure mobilization is often time consuming and technically demanding, particularly in obese patients with severe adhesion. Therefore, three surgical approaches are introduced to make the procedure easier according to the method of entering the lesser sac: anterior approach, inferio-medial approach, and lateral approach.

Laparoscopic Mobilization of the Splenic Flexure as the First Step of Restorative Colorectal Resection.

Background: Mobilization of the colonic splenic flexure (SFM) is an essential surgical step of the restorative rectal resections. However, the surgical procedures are technically complex thereby overcoming the learning curve may not be an easy process. Looking for improved expertise and better outcomes, in 2016, we have decided to routinely perform SFM as a first step of all the laparoscopic or robotic sigmoid and rectal resections. The aim of this paper is to describe the technique of laparoscopic splenic flexure mobilization and to discuss the advantages of using it as the first surgical step in colorectal rectal resection analyzing our last 12 months experience (2018). Method: A detailed description of the laparoscopic surgical technique for SFM is performed. There are four routes for SFM: two from medial to lateral, one starting from the splenic vein the other one from the promontory, a superior to inferior approach and a lateral to medial approach. However, the combination of different maneuvers for an easier, safer approach decreases the morbidity and is saving surgical time. Results: Between January and December 2018, 47 patients had SPM as a first step of the performed colorectal procedure in our institution. There were 30 patients with rectal cancer, 10 with sigmoidal tumors, five with sigmoidal resection for diverticulitis and Hartmann reversal was indicated in two. The robotic approach has been used in 40% (16 patients). No intraoperative incidents were associated with the SFM. No colorectal fistula was encountered. No early cancer recurrence, deaths or major complication were encountered. The mean follow-up for these patients is 7 months (range, 4-12 months). Conclusions: In our perspective, the routine mobilization of the splenic flexure as a first step of the colorectal restorative resections associate many advantages and these strategies should be largely used. There is a learning curve involved in such procedure and it can easily be overcome in high volume centers.

Importance of the Moskowitz artery in the laparoscopic medial approach to splenic flexure mobilization: a cadaveric study.

The medial approach in laparoscopic splenic flexure mobilization is based on the entrance to the lesser sac just above the ventral edge of the pancreas (VEOP). The artery of Moskowitz runs through the base of the mesocolon, just above the VEOP. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of the artery of Moskowitz, its route and its distance from the VEOP. We performed a cadaveric study on 27 human cadavers. The vascular arcades of the splenic flexure were dissected, the number of vascular arches, and the origin and localization of its terminal anastomosis were recorded. The splenic flexure avascular space (SFAS) was defined as the avascular zone in the mesocolon delimited by the VEOP, middle colic artery, ascending branch of the left colic artery and the vascular arch of the splenic flexure nearest to the VEOP and was quantified as the distance between the VEOP and the most proximal arch RESULTS: The artery of Drummond was identified in 100% of the cadavers. In 5 of 27 (18%) Riolan's arch was present, and in 3 of 27 (11%) the Moskowitz artery was found. The mean distance from the VEOP to the artery of Moskowitz was 0.3cm (SD 0.04). This vascular arch travelled from the origin of the middle colic artery to the distal third of the ascending branch of the left colic artery. The SFAS was greater (p=0.001) in cadavers that only presented the artery of Drummond (mean 6.8cm; SD 1.25) than in those with Riolan's arch (mean 4.5cm; SD 0.5) CONCLUSIONS: In the medial approach for laparoscopic mobilization of the splenic flexure, when only one of the arches is present, the avascular area is an extensive and secure territory. If the artery of Moskowitz is present, the area is nonexistent and this would contraindicate the approach due to risk of iatrogenic bleeding. A radiological preoperatory study could be essential for accurate and safe surgery in this area.

Laparoscopic radical left hemicolectomy: Use of a bursa omentalis approach to ease splenic flexure mobilization.

e15071 Background: Laparoscopic splenic flexure mobilization was technically difficult for left colon cancer. This study was aimed to compare the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic radical left hemicolectomy using a bursa omentalis approach (BOA) versus medial-to-lateral approach (MtLA). Methods: BOA was entering the bursa omentalis prior to separating left Toldt’s fascia. We retrospectively analyzed data of 32 cases undergoing laparoscopic radical left hemicolectomy using BOA, matching with using MtLA from January 2013 and October 2016. The matching factors consisted of gender, age, ASA score, BMI, and TNM stage. Data of intraoperative and postoperative characteristics were reviewed. Splenic flexure mobilization time was defined as laparoscopic operation time minus left Toldt’s fascia separating time. Results: There was no significant difference in average time of ambulation, time to first flatus, hospital stay between two groups. The operative time was also similar between two groups (134.2±27.6 min vs 139.4±23.5 min. P = 0.42), but there are significantly shorter splenic flexure mobilization time in BOA group (25.9±12.3 min vs 35.5±22.5 min. P = 0.03). No entry to posterior pancreatic space was recorded in BOA group and 9.4% (3/32) were wrongly entering to posterior pancreatic space when separating left Toldt’s fascia in MtLA group. However, there was no significant difference in intra- or postoperative complication between groups. Conclusions: Our initial results suggest BOA for laparoscopic radical left hemicoletomy may be safe and feasible approach especially for unexperienced surgeons. The main advantages of present approach contain easy to identify pancreas and avoiding wrongly entering posterior pancreatic space when expanding the left Told’s fascia.

A Three-Step Method for Laparoscopic Mobilization of the Splenic Flexure.

Splenic flexure mobilization (SFM) is sometimes required for secure and tension-free anastomosis during laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Although several approaches have been used for laparoscopic SFM,1 it is still considered complicated and troublesome because of the lack of a standardized technique. We propose a three-step method for laparoscopic SFM, aimed at providing a simplified and standardized method, which is presented in the video. First, the mesocolon of the transverse and descending colon is dissected from the retroperitoneal tissue using a medial approach. The appropriate plane for dissection can be recognized just beneath the inferior mesenteric vein, and the gauze should be placed in the dissected space. Second, the transverse colon and transverse mesocolon are detached from the pancreas and spleen by means of an anterior approach. The lesser sac is opened, and the attachment to the pancreas or spleen is cut using the inserted gauze as a landmark. Third, the lateral attachment of the descending colon to the left abdominal wall is dissected cranially or caudally. Using this method, we performed laparoscopic SFM for 13 patients with colorectal cancer with no conversion to another approach or to open surgery. No intraoperative complications were reported, including bleeding from the spleen and injury of the pancreas. The mean time for SFM was 55 min. We consider this three-step method as being useful, and it might help the standardization of laparoscopic SFM.

Laparoscopic splenic flexure mobilization during low anterior resection for rectal cancer: a high‐level component of surgeon's armamentarium

Laparoscopic splenic flexure mobilization during low anterior resection for rectal cancer: a high‐level component of surgeon's armamentarium

Minimally invasive surgery for locally advanced rectal cancer: recent advances and future developments

SUMMARY Laparoscopic rectal surgery is technically challenging, difficult to perform and has a steep learning curve. Initial studies comparing laparoscopic and open total mesorectal excision indicate that laparoscopy is associated with decreased hospital stays, reduced postoperative pain and equivalent oncologic outcomes, although definitive randomized controlled trial results evaluating laparoscopy for rectal cancer are still pending. Robotic proctectomy is thought to provide additional benefits to the patient (i.e., reduced sexual and bladder dysfunction postoperatively). It can be performed either as a hybrid technique accompanied with laparoscopic splenic flexure mobilization, or as an entirely robotic procedure. Future investigations into robotic surgery and other new technologies that have potential use in rectal cancer surgery will be critically important as we seek to optimize patient outcomes.

Different approaches for complete mobilization of the splenic flexure during laparoscopic rectal cancer resection

Laparoscopic resection of rectal cancer has already become the standard procedure in many hospitals. The splenic flexure mobilization (SFM) is an important preparational step. Several methods are used for laparoscopic SFM; however, studies comparing different approaches are lacking. In the present study, three different approaches for SFM have been compared to each other. Between January 1998 and December 2010, 415 patients with rectal adenocarcinoma underwent laparoscopic rectal resection at one center. Of these, 303 patients received complete splenic flexure mobilization. The SFM was performed using either a medial (SFM-M; n = 41), lateral (SFM-L; n = 214), or anterior (SFM-A; n = 48) approach. There was a significantly higher rate of intraoperative complications in the SFM-L group as compared to the SFM-M or the SFM-A group (p = 0.038). Postoperative surgical complications occurred in 5 (10.6 %) patients of the SFM-A group compared to 38 patients (17.7 %) in the SFM-L group (p = 0.002) and 5 (12.1 %) patients in the SFM-M group (p = 0.037). SFM-L was also associated with a higher frequency of overall postoperative morbidity which was mainly due to wound infection rates (p = 0.001). The anterior approach for SFM in laparoscopic surgery seems to be associated with lower frequency of intra- and postoperative morbidity.

Right lateral position for laparoscopic splenic flexure mobilization

Standard laparoscopic splenic flexure mobilization is often hampered by redundant small bowel and usually necessitates additional ports. The retraction required runs the risk of inadvertent injury to the surrounding structures including the spleen. We present a new technique that permits a safe, rapid and complete mobilization of the splenic flexure even for the more difficult patients. We have used it in 15 consecutive patients without mortality, re-operation or conversion to open surgery. The right lateral position for splenic flexure mobilization gives better exposure of the left upper quadrant allowing complete dissection of the splenic flexure from the tail of the pancreas facilitating mobilization even in more difficult cases.

Robotic Colon and Rectal Surgery: A Series of 131 Cases

Laparoscopic colorectal surgery has become a mainstay in the treatment of benign and malignant colorectal diseases. There are inherent limitations to conventional laparoscopy which can be overcome by the robot. Here we present our experience with 131 cases of robotic and robot-assisted colon and rectal resections. This is a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database. From August 2005 through June 2009, we performed a total of 131 totally robotic and robot-assisted colorectal resections. These included 42 right colectomies (RC), 16 anterior resections (AR) for benign disease, 8 AR with rectopexy for prolapse, 7 total proctocolectomies (TPC), 47 low and ultralow anterior resections (LAR) for rectal cancer, and 11 abdominal perineal resections (APR). All LARs were done as a hybrid procedure (laparoscopic splenic flexure mobilization followed by robotic rectal dissection), and all APR specimens were extracted through the perineal incision. All coloanal anastomoses were diverted with a loop ileostomy. There were no intraoperative complications in this series. Postoperative complications included 10 patients with ileus or small bowel obstruction (SBO), 2 patients with anastomotic leaks, 1 patient with an abscess, and 3 patients with temporary peripheral neuropathy that resolved spontaneously. Five patients required reoperation and there were a total of 4 conversions (3.7%) across all case types. Robotic colon and rectal resections are safe and feasible options for the treatment of both benign and malignant disease processes. Further studies comparing oncologic and perioperative outcomes of robotic, laparoscopic, and open techniques are needed to determine the utility and efficacy of this technology in the field of colorectal surgery.