Open Complete Mesocolic Excision Research Articles

Laparoscopic-Assisted Versus Open Complete Mesocolic Excision and Central Vascular Ligation for Right-Sided Colon Cancer

A concept of complete mesocolic excision (CME) and central vascular ligation for colonic cancer has been recently introduced. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare perioperative and oncologic outcomes after laparoscopic-assisted CME (LCME) and open CME (OCME) for right-sided colon cancers. The study group included 128 patients who underwent an LCME and 137 patients who underwent an OCME for right-sided colon cancer between June 2006 and December 2008. The propensity scoring matching for sex, body mass index, tumor location, and pathologic T and TNM stage produced 85 matched pairs. The median time to soft diet (LCME 6 days vs. OCME 7 days, p < 0.001) and the possible length of stay (7 vs. 13 days, p < 0.001) were significantly shorter in the laparoscopic group. The median operation time (179 vs. 194 minutes, p = 0.862) and number of harvested lymph nodes (27 vs. 28, p = 0.337) were comparable between groups. The morbidity within 30 days after surgery was comparable between the groups (12.9 vs. 24.7 %, p = 0.050). The 5-year overall survival rates of the OCME and LCME groups were 77.8 and 90.3 % (p = 0.028), and the 5-year disease-free survival rates were 71.8 and 83.3 % (p = 0.578), respectively. Herein, we demonstrated the feasibility and safety of LCME for right-sided colon cancer, and in terms of better short-term outcomes, LCME was more advantageous than OCME. Although LCME for right-sided colon cancer was associated with better 5-year overall survival, compared with an open approach, the long-term oncologic outcomes between the groups were comparable.

Achieving complete mesocolic excision (CME) for colon cancer by laparoscopy

In accordance to the total mesorectal excision concept for rectal cancer, that of the complete mesocolic excision (CME) for colon cancer has been recently developed. CME involves dissection along the embryological planes, ligation and division of the supplying vessels at their origin and removal of a specimen with intact fascia and peritoneum, adequate distal and proximal bowel margin as well as the maximum number of the regional lymph nodes. CME surgery seems to achieve better oncological outcomes, in terms of local recurrence and survival, as compared to standard colectomy. CME has also been attempted by the laparoscopic approach. Provided that the tumour is located at the left or right and not at the transverse, a specimen of high quality can be resected, similar to that obtained by the open approach. There is also evidence that the oncological results of laparoscopic CME are superior to those achieved by the standard laparoscopic surgery, and similar to those achieved by open CME.

Outcome after Introduction of Complete Mesocolic Excision for Colon Cancer Is Similar for Open and Laparoscopic Surgical Treatments

Background: Complete mesocolic excision (CME) and a high (apical) vascular tie may improve oncologic outcome after surgery for colon cancer. Our primary aim was to emulate a previous national result of 73.8% overall survival (OS) with both the open and laparoscopic techniques. Methods: A prospective study of radical colon cancer was initiated in a Norwegian community teaching hospital in 2007 and comprised a consecutive group of 251 patients with TNM stages I-III that had surgery according to the CME principle. Oncological outcome was assessed as OS, disease-free survival (DFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS), as well as time to recurrence (TTR), using Cox regression analysis. Results: In-hospital mortality was 3.6%, 2.3% for laparoscopic surgery and 4.9% for open management. Significantly more patients in the open CME group developed complications in the short term (p < 0.001). Twelve or more lymph nodes were retrieved from 82.9% (208/251) of the specimens. Overall 3-year OS was 84.5%, DFS 77.4%, CSS 91.5% and TTR 86.8%. The surgical approach was not a significant predictor for any of the survival parameters. Conclusions: There was no survival difference between open and laparoscopic CME colonic resections, and the present OS improved from a previous OS from 2000.

Short-term clinical outcomes from a randomized controlled trial to evaluate laparoscopic versus open complete mesocolic excision for stage II,III colorectal cancer (CRC): Japan Clinical Oncology Group study JCOG0404 (NCT00147134).

3569 Background: The benefits of laparoscopic surgery (LAP) in comparison with open surgery (OP) have been suggested; however, the long-term survival of LAP for advanced CRC requiring complete mesocolic excision is still unclear. We conducted a study to confirm the non-inferiority of LAP to OP in terms of overall survival (OS)with less frequent post-operative morbidity. Short-term outcomes including post-operative complications are presented here. Methods: Only accredited surgeons from 30 Japanese institutions participated. Eligibility criteria included histologically proven CRC; tumor located in the cecum, ascending, sigmoid or rectosigmoid colon; T3 or deeper lesion without involvement of other organs; N0–2 and M0; tumor size =&lt;8 cm; patient age 20-75 years. Patients were randomized preoperatively.Patients with pathological stage III received adjuvant chemotherapy with fluorouracil plus leucovorin. The primary endpoint is OS. and the planned sample size was 1050. Results: A total of 1057 patients were randomized (OP: 528, LAP: 529) between October 2004 and March 2009. Conversion to OP was needed for 29 (5.4%) patients in LAP arm (technical conversion; 2.3%, indicated conversion; 2.8%, complicated conversion; 0.4%). Patients assigned to LAP had less blood loss compared with those assigned to OP (median 30 ml vs 85 ml, p&lt;0.001), although LAP lasted 52 minutes longer than did OP (p&lt;0.001). Radicality of resection as assessed by number of resected lymph nodes did not differ between two groups. LAP was associated with earlier recovery of bowel function (p&lt;0.001), and with a shorter hospital stay (p&lt;0.001) compared with OP. Morbidity and mortality untill discharge did not differ between two groups, except for less wound-related complications in LAP (p=0.007). Conclusions: Laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision for stage II,III colorectal cancer can be performed safely and short-term clinical benefits was demonstrated. If the non-inferiority of LAP in OS is demonstrated in the primary analysis planned in 2014 , LAP will be the new standard procedure for CRC.