Comparison of the short-term outcomes between intracorporeal isoperistaltic and antiperistaltic totally stapled side-to-side anastomosis for right colectomy: A retrospective study on 214 consecutive patients

Isoperistaltic versus antiperistaltic side-to-side ileocolic anastomosis in Crohn's disease and right colon adenocarcinoma: Controlled clinical trial

INTRODUCTION

Ileocolonic anastomoses are frequent in colorectal surgeries, but anastomotic leakage remains a serious complication associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The optimal peristaltic orientation for anastomosis is still debated.

AIM

To evaluate and compare short- and long-term outcomes of isoperistaltic (IA) and antiperistaltic (AA) side-to-side ileocolic anastomoses after right colectomy or ileocecal resection for right-sided adenocarcinoma or Crohn's disease.

METHODS

A single-center retrospective clinical trial was conducted at Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Monastir, involving patients with right-sided colon cancer or ileocecal Crohn's disease who underwent elective resection with either IA or AA. The primary outcome was anastomotic leakage, while secondary outcomes included postoperative morbidity and long-term results.

RESULTS

Ninety-four patients, including 55 with right-sided colon cancer and 39 with Crohn's disease, were analyzed between January 2016 and July 2023. Of these, 48 underwent IA, and 46 underwent AA. Both anastomotic techniques exhibited similar leakage rates. Baseline and operative variables were comparable except for male predominance in AA for Crohn's disease and a higher conversion rate in AA. No significant differences were noted regarding pathological variables, operative time, bowel transit recovery, oral tolerance, hospital stay, or postoperative complications. Multivariate analysis revealed that elevated white blood cell count, R2 resection, and mucinous adenocarcinoma were risk factors for anastomotic leakage, while albumin levels and staple line reinforcement were protective factors against postoperative morbidity.

CONCLUSION

IA and AA demonstrated comparable safety and feasibility, though AA had a higher conversion rate. Further studies are required to optimize AA safety.

Innovative needle-assisted technique for intracorporeal anastomosis: Simplifying closure of common enterotomy in laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery

BACKGROUND

Intracorporeal anastomosis offers notable advantages over extracorporeal techniques, including reduced tissue manipulation leading to faster recovery and potentially lower risks of surgical site infections and complications. However, it also involves several challenges, such as increased operative time and the need for experienced assistants and multiple trocars. Our novel technique addresses these problems.

METHODS

We present a novel approach for closing common enterotomies during intracorporeal anastomosis by using a linear stapler. This technique involves the use of a 6-cm straight needle, which facilitates closure of the common enterotomy. The technique can be performed independently by a single surgeon without the need for additional trocars or assistants.

RESULTS

This technique was applied for 20 patients undergoing laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery between June 2023 and February 2024. The median age of the enrolled patients was 65 years, with laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with intracorporeal ileocolostomy being the most common procedure (60% of cases). The median anastomosis time was 22.5 min. No occurrence of anastomotic leakage was reported, and only one patient (5%) developed temporary postoperative bowel obstruction, which was managed conservatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our technique enables efficient and safe closure of common enterotomies during intracorporeal anastomosis, minimizing reliance on additional trocars and experienced assistants. It simplifies the procedure and ensures fullthickness stapling, potentially reducing the likelihood of complications. Because of its broad applicability across various laparoscopic surgeries, this technique offers substantial benefits and is worth recommending for intracorporeal anastomosis.

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.

Preliminary surgical outcomes of laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with transrectal specimen extraction: a propensity score matching study of 120 cases (with video)

BACKGROUND

Compared with conventional laparoscopic surgery, natural orifice specimen extraction surgery (NOSES) has many advantages. Laparoscopic right colectomy with transvaginal specimen extraction has been reported, but the safety and feasibility of transrectal specimen extraction in male patients with ascending colon cancer remain to be verified. This study aimed to preliminarily evaluate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with transrectal specimen extraction.

METHODS

The study was conducted at a single tertiary medical center in China. A total of 494 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic right colectomy between September 2018 and September 2020 were included. Transrectal specimen extraction was performed in 40 male patients (the NOSES group). Patients in the NOSES group were matched to the conventional laparoscopic group using propensity score matching at a 1:2 ratio. Short-term and long-term outcomes between the two groups were compared and evaluated.

RESULTS

Forty patients in the NOSES group and 80 patients in the conventional laparoscopic group were matched for analysis. Baseline characteristics were balanced after propensity matching. The operative features, including operating time, intraoperative bleeding, and the number of harvested lymph nodes, were statistically comparable in both groups. In terms of post-operative recovery, patients in the NOSES group showed preferable outcomes, as evidenced by less post-operative pain and faster return to flatus, defecation, and discharge. The post-operative complications rate, according to the Clavien-Dindo classification system, was similar in both groups. No differences in overall survival or disease-free survival were observed between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic right colectomy with transrectal specimen extraction is oncologically safe. Compared with conventional laparoscopic right colectomy, it can reduce post-operative pain, accelerate post-operative recovery, shorten the hospital stay, and achieve better cosmetic effect.

Isoperistaltic vs antiperistaltic anastomosis after right hemicolectomy: A comprehensive review

To optimize the efficiency of ileocolic anastomosis following right hemicolectomy, several variations of the surgical technique have been tested. These include performing the anastomosis intra- or extracorporeally or performing a stapled or hand-sewn anastomosis. Among the least studied is the configuration of the two stumps (i.e., isoperistaltic or antiperistaltic) in the case of a side-to-side anastomosis. The purpose of the present study is to compare the isoperistaltic and antiperistaltic side-to-side anastomotic configuration after right hemicolectomy by reviewing the relevant literature. High-quality literature is scarce, with only three studies directly comparing the two alternatives, and no study has revealed any significant differences in the incidence of anastomosis-related complications such as leakage, stenosis, or bleeding. However, there may be a trend towards an earlier recovery of intestinal function following antiperistaltic anastomosis. Finally, existing data do not identify a certain anastomotic configuration (i.e., isoperistaltic or antiperistaltic) as superior over the other. Thus, the most appropriate approach is to master both anastomotic techniques and select between the two configurations based on each individual case scenario.