Laparoscopic combined rectal anterior resection and total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy

Laparoscopic colon and rectal resections with intracorporeal anastomosis and trans-vaginal specimen extraction for colorectal cancer. A case series and systematic literature review

PURPOSE

Intracorporeal anastomosis associated to trans-vaginal specimen extraction decreases the extent of colon mobilisation and the number and size of abdominal incisions, improving the benefits of minimally invasive surgery in female patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of this procedure for colorectal cancer.

METHODS

Between 2009 and 2013, 13 female patients underwent laparoscopic colon and rectal resection for colorectal cancer with intracorporeal anastomosis and trans-vaginal specimen extraction: 2 right colectomies, 1 transverse colon resection, 4 left colectomies and 6 anterior resections were performed. A MEDLINE search of publications on the presented procedure for colon neoplasms was carried out.

RESULTS

There were no intraoperative complications and no conversions. Postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score in the pelvis, abdomen and shoulder was moderate. In the postoperative period, we observed two colorectal anastomotic strictures, successfully treated with pneumatic endoscopic dilation. Median length of the specimen was 18.5 cm, with a median tumour size of 5.5 cm in diameter. Median number of retrieved lymph nodes was 12. All circumferential resection margins were negative. During a mean follow-up of 31 months (range, 6-62), there was neither evidence of recurrent disease nor disorders related to the genitourinary system. The aesthetic outcome was considered satisfactory in all patients. Nine studies were identified in the systematic review.

CONCLUSIONS

Our case series, according to the results of the literature, showed that intracorporeal anastomosis associated to trans-vaginal specimen extraction is feasible and safe in selected female patients.

Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy: a comparison of natural orifice versus transabdominal specimen extraction

BACKGROUND

Conventional laparoscopic right hemicolectomy (LRH) involves making an abdominal incision to remove the specimen and perform the anastomosis. Totally laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with natural orifice specimen extraction (NOSE) may lead to better outcomes compared to LRH.

STUDY DESIGN

Forty consecutive female patients total were reviewed: 20 LRH and 20 NOSE. The two groups were matched for sex, age, race, American Society of Anesthesiologist score, benign and malignant disease, tumor stage, lymph node number, tumor size, specimen length, body mass index, previous abdominal surgeries, and comorbidities.

RESULTS

The two groups were comparable for all categories. Follow-up was available on all patients (100%). The mean follow-up was 38.93 months (range 15-63 months). There was no difference between postoperative pain score between the two groups on postoperative day (POD) 1, POD 2, and POD day 14 (p = 0.571), (p = 0.861), (p = 0.688), respectively. There was no difference in the postoperative in-hospital morphine equivalents (p = 0.963). The NOSE group had no postoperative hernia formation or wound infections compared to the LRH, however, the difference was not significant (p = 0.439) and (p = 0.267), respectively. There was no difference in postoperative ileus (p = 0.192), septic complications (p = 1.000), readmission rate (p = 0.394), time interval for postoperative chemotherapy (p = 0.645), SDS (p = 0.446) or QLI (p = 0.175). There was no difference in length of hospital stay with 5.3 days for the LRH group and 7.7 days for the NOSE group (p = 0.183). The NOSE group had statistically significant better cosmetic scores (p = 0.018).

CONCLUSION

NOSE is comparable LRH with regard to postoperative outcomes and quality of life. NOSE is safe and maintains strict oncologic standards. NOSE is associated with a better cosmetic outcome compared to LRH.

Transvaginal specimen extraction versus conventional minilaparotomy after laparoscopic anterior resection for colorectal cancer: mid-term results of a case-matched study

BACKGROUND

Although the vagina is considered a viable route during laparoscopic surgery, a number of concerns have led to a need to demonstrate the safety of a transvaginal approach in colorectal surgery. However, the data for transvaginal access in left-sided colorectal cancer are extremely limited, and no study has compared the clinical outcomes with a conventional laparoscopic procedure.

OBJECTIVE

We compared the clinical outcomes of totally laparoscopic anterior resection with transvaginal specimen extraction (TVSE) with those of the conventional laparoscopic approach with minilaparotomy (LAP) for anastomosis construction and specimen retrieval in left-sided colorectal cancer.

METHODS

Fifty-eight patients underwent TVSE between October 2006 and July 2011 and were matched by age, surgery date, tumor location, and tumor stage with patients who underwent conventional LAP for left-sided colorectal cancer.

RESULTS

Operative time was significantly longer in the TVSE group (149.3 ± 39.8 vs. 131.9 ± 41.4 min; p = 0.023). Patients in the TVSE group experienced less pain (pain score 4.9 ± 1.6 vs. 5.8 ± 1.9; p = 0.008), shorter time to passage of flatus (2.2 ± 1.1 vs. 2.7 ± 1.2 days; p = 0.026), and higher satisfaction with the cosmetic results (cosmetic score 8.0 ± 1.4 vs. 6.3 ± 1.5; p = 0.001). More endolinear staplers for rectal transection were used in the LAP group (1.2 ± 0.5 vs. 1.1 ± 0.2; p = 0.021). Overall morbidities were similar in both groups; however, three wound infections only occurred in the LAP group. After a median follow-up of 34.4 (range 11-60) months, no transvaginal access-site recurrence occurred. The 3-year disease-free survival was similar between groups (91.5 vs. 90.8%; p = 0.746).

CONCLUSIONS

Transvaginal access after totally laparoscopic anterior resection is safe and feasible for left-sided colorectal cancer in selected patients with better short-term outcomes.

Transvaginal specimen extraction in colorectal surgery: current state of the art

BACKGROUND

The expected benefit of transvaginal specimen extraction is reduced incision-related morbidity.

OBJECTIVES

A systematic review of transvaginal specimen extraction in colorectal surgery was carried out to assess this expectation.

SEARCH STRATEGY

The following keywords, in various combinations, were searched: NOSE (natural orifices specimen extraction), colorectal, colon surgery, transvaginal, right hemicolectomy, left hemicolectomy, low anterior resection, sigmoidectomy, ileocaecal resection, proctocolectomy, colon cancer, sigmoid diverticulitis and inflammatory bowel diseases.

SELECTION CRITERIA

SELECTION CRITERIA included large bowel resection with transvaginal specimen extraction, laparoscopic approach, human studies and English language. Exclusion criteria were experimental studies and laparotomic approach or local excision. All articles published up to February 2011 were included.

RESULTS

Twenty-three articles (including a total of 130 patients) fulfilled the search criteria. The primary diagnosis was colorectal cancer in 51% (67) of patients, endometriosis in 46% (60) of patients and other conditions in the remaining patients. A concurrent gynaecological procedure was performed in 17% (22) of patients. One case of conversion to laparotomy was reported. In two patients, transvaginal extraction failed. In left- and right-sided resections, the rate of severe complications was 3.7% and 2%, respectively. Two significant complications, one of pelvic seroma and one of rectovaginal fistula, were likely to have been related to transvaginal extraction. The degree of follow up was specified in only one study. Harvested nodes and negative margins were adequate and reported in 70% of oncological cases.

CONCLUSION

Vaginal extraction of a colorectal surgery specimen shows potential benefit, particularly when associated with a gynaecological procedure. Data from prospective randomized trials are needed to support the routine use of this technique.

Transvaginal specimen extraction in a laparoscopic anterior resection of a sigmoid colon neoplasia with en bloc right salpingo-oophorectomy

Laparoscopic colorectal surgery has well-known benefits. However, an abdominal incision, albeit much smaller than conventional surgery, is still needed. A transvaginal extraction of a sigmoid colon neoplasia with en bloc salpingo-oophorectomy and colorectal mechanical anastomosis is described. The technique is feasible and safe. The excellent recovery of the 86-year-old patient shows the potential future of the natural orifices endoscopic surgery.

Transvaginal colonic extraction following combined hysterectomy and laparoscopic total colectomy: a natural orifice approach

A major advantage of laparoscopic colectomy is the limited incision. We describe an innovative technique in which the entire colon is extracted transvaginally to avoid any abdominal extraction incision in a female patient with hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer who required total colectomy and hysterectomy. This novel technical approach is feasible and safe, eliminates the need for any extraction abdominal incision, and may be considered in patients requiring concurrent abdominal colectomy and hysterectomy.

An innovative technique for colorectal specimen retrieval: a new era of "natural orifice specimen extraction" (N.O.S.E)

PURPOSE

The common incisions for transabdominal specimen retrieval after laparoscopic colorectal surgery are lower quadrant, midline, or transverse suprapubic incision. This study was designed to evaluate a novel method of specimen extraction after totally laparoscopic proctocolectomies.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied seven women patients from 2004 to 2007. The indication for surgery was familial polyposis coexisting with adenocarcinoma of the upper rectum. A totally laparoscopic proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis was successfully performed for all cases. The entire specimen was extracted via a transvaginal route.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 49.5 years, and mean body mass index was 25.3 kg/m(2). The mean operating time was 222.5 minutes, and average blood loss was 172 ml. The average hospital stay was 25.5 days. Postoperative complications included ileus (n = 1), pouchitis (n = 1), and deep vein thrombosis (n = 1). The vaginal wound had healed completely by the first follow-up. There was no mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Our technique of transvaginal retrieval effectively prevents wound-related complications by completely eliminating minilaparotomies for specimen retrieval. It could be called "Natural Orifice Specimen Extraction," or N.O.S.E. We stress the need for innovations in specimen extraction, for which importance is not given by surgeons.

Total laparoscopic hysterectomy: indications, techniques and outcomes

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The indications, techniques and outcomes of laparoscopic associated hysterectomy and especially total laparoscopic hysterectomy are thoroughly reviewed.

RECENT FINDINGS

The original technique for total laparoscopic hysterectomy is detailed as it is still applicable. The total laparoscopic hysterectomy operation has not changed to any major degree over the past 15 years. The technique detailed works well and lessens the chance for a ureteral injury. Expansion of the technique has occurred in oncology. Evidence-based studies support the use of vaginal hysterectomy if possible over laparoscopic and abdominal hysterectomy. They also support a laparoscopic approach to hysterectomy over total abdominal hysterectomy.

SUMMARY

Despite evidence-based studies, gynecologic surgical specialists have been slow to adopt both laparoscopic and vaginal hysterectomy into their practice. This trend may increase in the near future. Adoption of laparoscopic associated hysterectomy has been extremely slow.