Totally laparoscopic resection of the splenic flexure for tumor

Short-term and long-term outcomes of intracorporeal anastomosis in laparoscopic segmental left colectomy for splenic flexure cancer - a multicenter retrospective cohort study of 342 cases

INTRODUCTION

While intracorporeal anastomosis (IA) has been widely used in totally laparoscopic right colectomy, its application in laparoscopic segmental left colectomy for splenic flexure cancer remains underexplored, particularly in large-scale studies with long-term outcomes. This research aims to assess the technical feasibility and oncological efficacy of IA in treating colonic splenic flexure carcinoma, drawing insights from both short-term and long-term outcomes of a retrospective cohort.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 342 patients diagnosed with colonic splenic flexure carcinoma in three Chinese medical centers. These patients underwent laparoscopic segmental left colectomy between December 2014 and December 2019 across three medical institutions. Comprehensive data encompassing demographics, disease features, pathological characteristics, operative details, and both short-term and long-term outcomes were gathered and scrutinized. Using propensity scores, each patient from the IA cohort was paired with a counterpart from the extracorporeal anastomosis (EA) cohort.

RESULTS

IA was performed on 129 patients, while 213 underwent EA. Post-propensity score matching resulted in 129 matched pairs. After matching, many baseline characteristics were balanced. The IA cohort exhibited several advantages, including shorter incision lengths ( P <0.001) and more extensive proximal and distal resection margins ( P =0.003, P <0.001). Additionally, the IA method facilitated a more rapid postoperative recovery as indicated by quicker return of bowel movements (resumption of passing flatus [2.7 (1.0-7.0) days vs. 3.3 (2.0-8.0) days, P <0.001] and defecation [3.7 (1.0-9.0)] days vs. 4.5 (2.0-9.0) days, P <0.001]), faster discharges [6.6 (3.0-15.0) days vs. 8.3 (5.0-20.0) days, P <0.001], and decreased need for rescue analgesics ( P <0.001). The rate of postoperative complications, as rated by the Clavien-Dindo classification, remained consistent across both techniques ( P =0.087). Furthermore, the cosmetic outcome rated by Patient Scar Assessment Questionnaire and Scoring System (PSAQ) was markedly superior in the IA group ( P <0.001). Both approaches demonstrated equivalent 5-year overall (82.7% vs. 82.1%, P =0.419) and disease-free survival (80.9% vs. 78.1%, P =0.476). Subsequent stratification analysis revealed that IA achieved comparable 5-year overall (80.7% vs. 82.0%, P =0.647) and disease-free survival (78.1% vs. 76.4%, P =0.734) in patients with locally advanced colon cancer.

CONCLUSION

Employing IA for laparoscopic segmental left colectomy in cases of splenic flexure carcinoma is not only safe but also offers enhanced cosmetic results and expedited postoperative recovery. Oncologically speaking, IA in left segmental colectomy for splenic flexure carcinoma can yield therapeutic outcomes comparable to those of EA, even in patients with locally advanced colon cancer.

European multicenter propensity score match study of laparoscopic vs. open colectomy for splenic flexure carcinomas: Results from the Splenic Flexure Cancer (SFC) Study Group

AIM OF THE STUDY

This European multicenter study aims to compare the results of laparoscopic versus laparotomy approach for the resection of splenic flexure colon carcinoma (SFC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with SFC who required curative resection by laparoscopy (LAP) or laparotomy (OPEN) between 2000 and 2018 were included. Three types of interventions were considered: extended right hemi-colectomy, left hemi-colectomy and splenic flexure resection. The LAP and OPEN groups were matched according to propensity score and compared with Chi-square, Mann-Whitney tests, and multivariate regression models. Overall survival and recurrence-free survival were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

The study population consisted of 399 patients, including 297 operated by LAP and 102 by OPEN. Extended right hemi-colectomy was performed in 35.8% of cases, left hemi-colectomy in 32.8% and splenic flexure resection in 31.4%. After propensity score matching, the LAP (n=64) and OPEN (n=64) groups were comparable for all pre-operative variables and tumor characteristics. The LAP group showed less blood loss and a shorter interval to return of transit and feeding compared to the OPEN group, regardless of the resection technique. There were no differences between the groups in terms of overall survival and 5-year recurrence-free survival.

CONCLUSION

These results support the application of laparoscopy for the resection of SFC.

Extended right colectomy, left colectomy, or segmental left colectomy for splenic flexure carcinomas: a European multicenter propensity score matching analysis

BACKGROUND

The surgical resection of the splenic flexure carcinoma (SFC) is challenging and the optimal surgical procedure for SFCs remains a matter of debate. The present study aimed to compare in a multicenter European sample of patients the short- and long-term outcomes of extended right (ERC) vs. left (LC) vs. segmental left colectomy (SLC) for SFCs.

METHODS

This retrospective multicenter study analyzed the surgical and oncological outcomes of SFC patients undergoing elective curative intent surgery between 2000 and 2018. Descriptive and exploratory analyses were first conducted on the whole sample. Outcomes of the different procedures (ERC vs. LC vs. SLC) were then compared using propensity score matching for multilevel treatment. Overall (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

From a total of 399 SFC patients, 143 (35.8%) underwent ERC, 131 (32.8%) underwent LC, and 125 (31.4%) underwent SLC. Overall, 297 (74.4%) were laparoscopic procedures. An increase in operative time, time to flatus, time to regular diet, and hospital stay was observed with the progressive extension of SFC resection. ERC was associated with significantly increased risk of postoperative ileus compared to both LC and SLC. A significantly greater number of lymph nodes were retrieved by ERC, but the objective of at least 12 retrieved lymph nodes was achieved in 85% of patients, without procedure-related differences. No differences were observed in OS or DFS between ERC, LC, and SLC.

CONCLUSION

The present study supports the resection of SFCs by colon-sparing surgical techniques, such as SLC.

Segmental Colonic Resection Is a Safe and Effective Treatment Option for Colon Cancer of the Splenic Flexure: A Nationwide Retrospective Study of the Italian Society of Surgical Oncology-Colorectal Cancer Network Collaborative Group

BACKGROUND

Global experience with splenic flexure cancer is limited because of its low incidence. Both limited (segmental) and extended resections are performed, because agreement on which is the adequate procedure has not been reached.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether segmental resection is as safe and effective as extended resection.

DESIGN

This nationwide retrospective cohort study included all consecutive resections of splenic flecure cancer between January 2006 and December 2016 using data from the National Colorectal Cancer Network of the Italian Society of Surgical Oncology following the guidelines set out in the STROBE statement.

SETTING

Data were obtained for 31 Italian Referral Centers for Colorectal Surgery.

PATIENTS

A total of 1304 patients were submitted to resection of the splenic flexure (n = 791, 60.7%) or extended procedures (extended right and left colectomies; n = 513, 39.3%).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

We evaluated Clavien-Dindo ≥3 postoperative complications and oncological (number of lymph nodes removed, length of free proximal and distal margins, rate of R0 resections) and survival outcomes.

RESULTS

The 2 arms were well balanced in regard to sex, BMI, ASA and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scores, and disease stage. Limited resection was performed more frequently using a minimally invasive approach (62.1% vs 50.9%, p < 0.001) and with shorter operation times than extended procedures (165 vs 189 minutes, p < 0.001), but the same Clavien-Dindo ≥3 postoperative complications (6.44% vs 6.43%, p = 0.99), 30-day mortality (0.63% vs 0.38%), oncological outcomes, and survival rates (5-year overall survival 0.84 vs 0.83, 5-year progression-free survival 0.85 vs 0.84).

LIMITATIONS

There are limitations inherent to the retrospective nature of the study and a potential lack of consistency in treatment across centers over time. Indications as to why a specific operation was chosen were based mostly on surgeons' beliefs.

CONCLUSIONS

Segmental resection is a safe and effective treatment option for cancer of the splenic flexure. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B307. LA RESECCIÓN DE COLON SEGMENTARIA ES UNA OPCIÓN DE TRATAMIENTO SEGURA Y EFICAZ PARA EL CÁNCER DE COLON DE LA FLEXIÓN ESPLÉNICA: UN ESTUDIO RETROSPECTIVO A NIVEL NACIONAL DE LA SOCIEDAD ITALIANA DE ONCOLOGÍA QUIRÚRGICA - GRUPO COLABORATIVO RED DE CÁNCER COLORRECTAL: La experiencia global con el cáncer de flexión esplénica es limitada debido a su baja incidencia. Se realizan resecciones limitadas (segmentarias) y extendidas, ya que no se ha llegado a un acuerdo sobre cuál es el procedimiento adecuado.El propósito de este estudio fue investigar si la resección segmentaria es tan segura y efectiva como la resección extendida.Este estudio de cohorte retrospectivo a nivel nacional incluyó todas las resecciones consecutivas de cáncer de flecura esplénica entre enero de 2006 y diciembre de 2016 utilizando datos de la Red Nacional de Cáncer Colorrectal de la Sociedad Italiana de Oncología Quirúrgica siguiendo las pautas establecidas en la declaración STROBE.Se obtuvieron datos para 31 centros de referencia italianos para cirugía colorrectal.Un total de 1304 pacientes fueron sometidos a resección de la flexión esplénica (n = 791, 60.7%) o procedimientos extendidos (colectomías extendidas derecha e izquierda; n = 513, 39.3%).Evaluamos Clavien-Dindo ≥3 complicaciones postoperatorias y oncológicas (número de ganglios linfáticos extirpados, longitud de márgenes proximales y distales libres, tasa de resecciones R0) y resultados de supervivencia.Los dos brazos estaban bien equilibrados en cuanto a sexo, IMC, ASA y puntajes ECOG, y etapa de la enfermedad. La resección limitada se realizó con mayor frecuencia utilizando un enfoque mínimamente invasivo (62.1% versus 50,9%, p < 0.001) y con tiempos de operación más cortos que los procedimientos extendidos (165 min versus 189 min, p <0.001), pero el mismo Clavien-Dindo ≥3 complicaciones postoperatorias (6,44% versus 6,43%, p = 0.99), mortalidad a los 30 días (0,63% versus 0,38%), resultados oncológicos y tasas de supervivencia (5-y OS 0,84 versus 0,83, 5-PFS 0,85 versus 0,84).Existen limitaciones inherentes a la naturaleza retrospectiva del estudio y una posible falta de consistencia en el tratamiento entre centros a lo largo del tiempo. Las indicaciones de por qué se eligió una operación específica se basaron principalmente en crieterios de los cirujanos.La resección segmentaria es una opción de tratamiento segura y efectiva para el cáncer de la flexión esplénica. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B307. (Traducción-Dr. Adrian Ortega).

Laparoscopic resection with complete mesocolic excision for splenic flexure cancer: long-term follow-up data from a multicenter retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Splenic flexure cancer (SFC), identified as tumors raised in the distal transverse colon and proximal descending colon, accounts for 2 to 5% of all surgically treated colorectal cancers. Despite the fact that the laparoscopic approach has become the gold standard for many colorectal procedures, it has never been extensively investigated in SFC due to lack of an agreed consensus on the appropriate operative procedure. The aim of this multicenter retrospective study is to evaluate the oncologic value of laparoscopic segmental resection with complete mesocolic excision (CME) for cancer located in the splenic flexure.

METHODS

All data of consecutive patients who had undergone laparoscopic resection with CME for SFC from January 2005 to December 2017 at five different tertiary centers were retrospectively analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier (KM) test was used to assess the overall survival (OS) and the disease-free survival (DFS) rates after surgery. Univariate Cox regression was used to explore the association between OS and other independent factors.

RESULTS

Recurrence was observed in 13 (11.6%) patients and a significant association between disease stage and recurrence (P < 0.001) was found with a higher proportion of stage IV patients in the recurrence group (46.1% vs. 7.1%). During a median follow-up of 43 months (range 12-149), 13 deaths occurred, all of them due to disease progression. KM curves for all stages showed an estimated survival rate of 51% at 148 months.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic segmental resection with CME appears to be an oncologically safe and effective procedure for treatment of SFC and may be considered as a standard surgical method for elective management of the disease. In the future, routine lymph node mapping could be used to confirm this hypothesis.

Laparoscopic resection of splenic flexure colon cancers: a retrospective multi-center study with 117 cases

The objective is to investigate the short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic resections of splenic flexure colon cancers in three Italian high-volume centers. The laparoscopic resection of splenic flexure colon cancers is a challenging procedure and has not been completely standardized, mainly due to the technical difficulty, the arduous identification of major blood vessels, and the problems associated with anastomosis construction. In this retrospective cohort observational study, a consecutive series of patients treated in three Italian high-volume centers with elective laparoscopic resection of the splenic flexure for cancer is analyzed. The observational period was from January 2008 to August 2017. Patient demographics and clinical features, operative data, and short- and long-term outcomes were prospectively recorded in a specific database and were retrospectively analyzed. During the observation period, 117 patients were selected. Conversion to open surgery was necessary in 15 patients (12.8%). Of 102 complete laparoscopic procedures, multi-visceral resection was performed in 13 cases (12.7%). Postoperative surgical complications occurred in 13 patients (12.7%), with 3 cases of anastomotic leak (2.9%) and 3 cases of re-operation (2.9%). The postoperative mortality in this population was null. The 5-year overall survival rate was 84.3%, and the 5-year disease-free survival rate was 87.8%. Laparoscopic resection of the splenic flexure is feasible and safe in high-volume centers. Compared to the results of other laparoscopic colonic resections, the short- and long-term outcomes are similar, but the conversion rate is higher.

Propensity score analysis of postoperative and oncological outcomes after surgical treatment for splenic flexure colon cancer

PURPOSE

The surgical treatment of splenic flexure colon cancer (SFCC) is somehow not yet well standardized. Postoperative and oncological results of the three surgical techniques most commonly used to treat SFCC: extended right colectomy (ERC), egmental left colectomy (SLC), and left colectomy (LC) were evaluated.

METHODS

The study included all patients with stage I-III SFCC treated by ERC, SLC, or LC between 2005 and 2016. Postoperative and long-term outcomes after the different surgical techniques were analyzed: Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to compare the outcomes between these surgical techniques and survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank tests.

RESULTS

A total of 170 SFCC patients were operated; ERC was performed in 71 (41.76%), SLC in 36 (21.18%), and LC in 63 (37.06%). There were no significant differences in the short and long-term postoperative outcomes. Three comparison groups were developed so that PSM could be performed between the surgical technique cases: ERC (n = 59) vs. LC (n = 50); ERC (n = 50) vs. SLC (n = 33); and SLC (n = 32) vs. LC (n = 44). No differences in the short or long-term outcomes of these techniques were observed.

CONCLUSION

The short and long-term outcomes between ERC, SLC, and LC are similar. SLC should be considered oncologically as appropiate as the other more extensive resections.

How we do it: totally laparoscopic complete mesocolon excision for splenic flexure cancer

BACKGROUND

Splenic flexure (SF) cancer is not a common condition and its treatment is still under discussion. Although laparoscopic surgery is well accepted for the treatment of colon cancer at any stage, complete mesocolon excision (CME) with selective vascular ligation using the laparoscopic approach for SF cancer remains technically demanding and represents a real challenge for surgeons.

METHODS

We present a single-institution experience of laparoscopic CME for SF cancer. Intra-operative, pathologic, and post-operative data of patients who underwent laparoscopic SF resection were reviewed to assess the technical feasibility and oncologic safety. Technical features, histopathology, morbidity, and mortality were evaluated.

RESULTS

From February 2015 to October 2017, a minimally invasive approach was proposed to 17 patients (M/F 14/3) affected by splenic flexure cancer. In all patients, the procedure was completed by laparoscopy. The anastomosis was completed intra-corporeally in 89% of cases. The distal margin was 3.1 ± 2.6 cm and the proximal margin was 6.5 ± 3.3 cm from the tumor site. The number of mean harvested nodes was 13.9 ± 7. The mean operative time was 215.5 ± 65 min, and blood loss was 80 ± 27. In one case, a laparoscopic partial gastrectomy was associated due to tumor invasion. The mean post-operative stay was 6.7 ± 3.3 days. Readmission was necessary for two patients. No major morbidity was recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the wide spread and increasing confidence in laparoscopic colectomy, SF resection remains one of the most challenging procedures in colorectal surgery with a complex learning curve. SF resection with CME and CVL is feasible and safe for the treatment of early-stage and locally advanced SF cancer.

A standardised and simplified technique for laparoscopic resection of the splenic flexure

The splenic flexure is an uncommon location of colorectal cancer, being involved in 2%–3% of cases. The low chance of being engaged in resecting cancer of the splenic flexure can make it difficult for surgeons to build their learning curve and to achieve a reliable experience. As the majority of colectomies are still performed by low-volume surgeons, there is growing agreement that providing local services with adequate surgical education and training could be an effective strategy to improve outcomes and global health. Arming surgeons with simplified and easy-to-learn surgical techniques could be an important step of this strategy. A novel simplified technique for laparoscopic resection of the splenic flexure is presented, which combines laparoscopic mobilisation of the right colon with extracorporeal vascular ligation and bowel anastomosis.

Lymphatic Drainage of the Splenic Flexure Defined by Intraoperative Scintigraphic Mapping

BACKGROUND

The optimal surgical management of splenic flexure cancer is debated, partly because of an incomplete understanding of the lymphatic drainage of this region.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the normal lymphatic drainage of the human splenic flexure using laparoscopic scintigraphic mapping.

DESIGN

This was a clinical trial.

SETTINGS

The study was conducted at a single tertiary care center.

PATIENTS

Thirty consecutive patients undergoing elective colorectal resections without splenic flexure pathology were recruited.

INTERVENTION

Technetium-99m was injected subserosally at the splenic flexure.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Lymphatic scintigraphic mapping was undertaken at 15, 30, and 60 minutes using a laparoscopic gamma probe at the left branch of the middle colic, left colic, inferior mesenteric, and ileocolic (control) lymphovascular pedicles.

RESULTS

Lymphatic drainage at 60 minutes was strongly dominant in the direction of the left colic pedicle (96% of patients), with a median gamma count of 284 (interquartile range, 113-413), versus the left branch of the middle colic count of 31 (interquartile range, 15-49; p < 0.0001). This equated to a median 9.2-times greater flow to the left colic versus the middle colic. Counts at the left colic were greater than all of the other mapped sites at 15, 30, and 60 minutes (p < 0.001), whereas middle colic and inferior mesenteric artery counts were equivalent. The protocol increased operative duration by 20 to 30 minutes without complications.

LIMITATIONS

These results report lymphatic drainage from patients with normal splenic flexures, and caution is necessary when extrapolating to patients with splenic flexure cancers.

CONCLUSIONS

The lymphatic drainage of the normal splenic flexure is preferentially directed toward the left colic in the high majority of cases. Retrieving these nodes should be prioritized in splenic flexure cancer resections, with important secondary emphasis on left middle colic nodes, supporting segmental (left hemicolectomy) resection as the procedure of choice. Additional development of colonic sentinel node mapping using these techniques may contribute to individualized surgical therapy morbidity. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A495.

Surgical Treatment of Colon Cancer of the Splenic Flexure: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

This is a systematic review and meta-analysis on the surgical treatments of splenic flexure carcinomas (SFCs). Medline, EMBASE, and Scopus were searched from January 1990 to May 2016. Studies of at least 5 patients comparing extended right colectomy (ERC) versus left colectomy (LC) and/or laparoscopy versus open surgery for SFCs were retrieved and analyzed. Overall, 12 retrospective studies were selected, including 569 patients. ERC was performed in 23.2% of patients, whereas LC in 76.8%. Pooled data suggested that ERC and LC had similar oncologic quality of resection and postoperative outcomes. Laparoscopy was used in 50.6% of patients (conversion rate: 2.5%) and it was associated with significantly shorter time to oral diet, fewer postoperative complications, and shorter hospital stay than open surgery. In conclusion, the optimal extent of SFC surgical resection, that is, ERC or LC remains under debate. However, laparoscopy provides better postoperative outcomes and fewer postoperative complications than open surgery.

Laparoscopic extended right colectomy versus laparoscopic left colectomy for carcinoma of the splenic flexure: a matched case-control study

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to compare the short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic extended right colectomy (ER) versus laparoscopic left colectomy (LC) for splenic flexure carcinomas.

METHODS

Patients with stage 0-III adenocarcinoma of the splenic flexure who underwent laparoscopy between 2000 and 2013 were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Twenty-seven patients who underwent ER were matched by age, gender, BMI, ASA score, and tumor stage with 27 patients who underwent LC.

RESULTS

The ER procedures were significantly longer than LC (235 ± 49.2 min vs. 192 ± 43.4 min, p = 0.001, respectively). Post-operatively, time to flatus and return to regular diet were observed to average 2.4 ± 0.8 days (1-4 days) and 4.6 ± 1.05 days (3-8 days), respectively, without differences between the groups. Overall, 14 complications were observed in 12 patients and 90-day mortality was nil. The length of hospitality stay was not different between ER and LC, with an overall mean of 8.3 ± 2.7 days. All procedures were classified as R0 resections, but ER was associated with a higher number of lymph nodes retrieved (21.4 ± 4.9) compared with LC (16.6 ± 5.5, p = 0.001). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year cumulative survival rates were 92.6, 85.8, and 72.8% for the ER group and 96.3, 91.9, and 75.1% for the LC group (p = 0.851). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 85.2, 76.7, and 67.1% for the ER group and 96.2, 75.5, and 66.7% for the LC group (p = 0.636).

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic ER and LC procedures performed for splenic flexure carcinomas appear to have similar short- and long-term oncologic outcomes.

Left colectomy with intracorporeal anastomosis: technical aspects

Oncologic laparoscopic colectomy represents a fully validated surgical approach to the management of colorectal cancer. However, laparoscopic surgery for distal transverse and descending colon lesions remains a challenging procedure. A total laparoscopic approach to the left colectomy is an interesting option for critically ill patients although reports in the literature on this subject are scarce and its approach still not standardized because of its selective nature for indication. There are several advantages associated with conduction of totally laparoscopic approach to the left colon. Intracorporeal vessel sealing ensures an adequate lymph node dissection. Moreover, it enables the construction of a well-vascularized anastomosis. Ultimately, the occurrence of late wound complications are possibly reduced for the placement of a low abdominal incision exclusively used for specimen extraction. This paper aimed at describing our technique for a totally laparoscopic left colectomy for distal transverse and descending colon lesions.