The Oncologic Outcomes of Inferior Mesenteric Artery-Preserving Laparoscopic Lymph Node Dissection for Upper-Rectal or Sigmoid Colon Cancer

Standardization of the definition of the types of oncological colectomy. Delphi method for consensus of experts of the Spanish Association of Surgeons

There is no international consensus on the definition of the type of oncological resection that corresponds to each of the colectomies existing in the current literature. The objective is to define for each colectomy described in the literature: embryological dissection plane, vascular pedicles in which to perform central ligation, the extent of the colectomy, and the need for resection of the greater momentum. A consensus of experts is carried out through the Delphi methodology through two rounds from the Coloproctology Section of the Spanish Association of Surgeons. Study period: November 2021-January 2023. 120 experts were surveyed. Degrees of consensus: Very strong: >90%, Strong: 80%-90%, Moderate: 50%-80%, No consensus: <50%. The definition for each oncological colectomy was established by very strong, and strong recommendations. Each oncological colectomy was established as Right hemicolectomy (RHC), RHC with D3 lymphadenectomy, Extended-RHC, transverse colon segmental colectomy, splenic flexure segmental colectomy, subtotal colectomy, total colectomy, left hemicolectomy (LHC), extended-LHC, sigmoidectomy.

Robotic versus laparoscopic anterior resection for the treatment of stage II and III sigmoid colon cancer: a propensity score-matched analysis

Robot-assisted laparoscopic anterior resection is a novel technique. However, evidence in the literature regarding the advantages of robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery (RLS) is insufficient. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of RLS versus conventional laparoscopic surgery (CLS) for the treatment of sigmoid colon cancer. We performed a retrospective study at the Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital. Patients diagnosed with sigmoid colon cancer and underwent anterior resection between January 2019 to September 2023 were included in the study. We compared the basic characteristics of the patients and the short-term and long-term outcomes of patients in the two groups. A total of 452 patients were included. Based on propensity score matching, 212 patients (RLS, n = 106; CLS, n = 106) were included. The baseline data in RLS group was comparable to that in CLS group. Compared with CLS group, RLS group exhibited less estimated blood loss (P = 0.015), more harvested lymph nodes (P = 0.005), longer operation time (P < 0.001) and higher total hospitalization costs (P < 0.001). Meanwhile, there were no significant differences in other perioperative or pathologic outcomes between the two groups. For 3-year prognosis, overall survival rates were 92.5% in the RLS group and 90.6% in the CLS group (HR 0.700, 95% CI 0.276-1.774, P = 0.452); disease-free survival rates were 91.5% in the RLS group and 87.7% in the CLS group (HR 0.613, 95% CI 0.262-1.435, P = 0.259). Compared with CLS, RLS for sigmoid colon cancer was found to be associated with a higher number of lymph nodes harvested, similar perioperative outcomes and long-term survival outcomes. High total hospitalization costs of RLS did not translate into better long-term oncology outcomes.

A clinical study of inferior mesenteric artery typing in laparoscopic radical resections with left colonic artery preservation of rectal cancer

OBJECTIVES

An investigation of the effects of different types of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) on laparoscopic left colic artery (LCA) radical resection of rectal cancer was conducted.

METHODS

Clinical data were collected from 92 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer with preservation of the LCA at Nantong University's Second Affiliated Hospital. All patients underwent full-abdominal dual-energy CT enhancement examination before surgery and 3D post-processing reconstruction of the IMA. Two radiologists with >3 years of experience in abdominal radiology jointly conducted the examination. A total of three types of IMA were identified among the patients: IMA type I (the LCA arising independently from the IMA), type II (LCA and sigmoid colon artery [SA] branching from a common trunk from IMA), and type III (LCA, SA, and superior rectal artery [SRA] branching from the IMA at the same point). The baseline data, pathological results, and intra-operative and post-operative indicators of the groups were analyzed.

RESULTS

The proportions of type I, type II, and type III IMA were 58.70% (54/92), 18.48% (17/92), and 22.82% (21/92), respectively. IMA typing was consistent with the preoperative CT evaluation results. The intra-operative blood loss of type III IMA patients [median (interquartile spacing), M (P25, P75): 52.00 (39.50, 68.50) ml] was higher than that of type I and II IMA patients [35.00 (24.00, 42.00) and 32.00 (25.50, 39.50) ml, respectively] (P<0.05). The incidence of anastomotic fistula in type III IMA patients (4 cases, 19.05%) was higher than that in non-type III IMA patients (1 case, 1.41%) (X²=6.679, P=0.010). The incidence of postoperative complications among the three types of IMA was not significantly different (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Among rectal cancer patients undergoing laparoscopic LCA preservation, type III IMA patients had more intraoperative bleeding and a higher incidence of postoperative anastomotic fistula. However, this did not increase the risk of overall postoperative complications.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials evaluating the effect of the level of ligation of inferior mesenteric artery on functional outcomes in rectal cancer surgery

BACKGROUND

This systematic review and meta-analysis studied the role of high (HL) versus low (LL) inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) ligation on genitourinary and defecatory dysfunction in patients who had undergone resection for rectal cancer (RC).

METHODS

A systematic literature search of four major databases was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing HL and LL of IMA in RC surgery were identified. Those studies that looked at genitourinary or defecatory dysfunction were included. Random-effects modeling to summarize statistics was performed. The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane's Risk-of-Bias tool 2.

RESULTS

Three RCTs were included. There was clinical heterogeneity with regard to cancer stage and location as well as operative techniques and adjuvant treatments. Functional outcomes (FO) that were reported by at least two studies were International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ), International Index for Erectile Function (IIEF), Jorge-Wexner incontinence score (J-W). Difference was observed in ICIQ at 9 months after surgery favoring LL (standard mean difference: - 0.66; 95% confidence intervals (CI): - 0.92, - 0.40; P = 0.37; I 2 = 0%). Difference was also observed in IIEF at 9 months favoring LL (mean difference: 7.43; CI: 1.86, 13.00; P = 0.16; I 2 = 50%).

CONCLUSIONS

Although our study has demonstrated the superiority of LL in genitourinary function preservation, these results should be taken with consciousness due to significant heterogeneity between included studies, small sample size, and potential bias. More high-quality studies are needed.

PROSPERO

CRD4202121099  https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021210998.

Low Ligation Plus High Dissection Versus High Ligation of the Inferior Mesenteric Artery in Sigmoid Colon and Rectal Cancer Surgery: A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Whether high or low ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) is superior in surgery for rectal and sigmoid colon cancers remains controversial. Although several meta-analyses have been conducted, the level of lymph node clearance was poorly defined. We performed a meta-analysis comparing high and low ligation of the IMA for sigmoid colon and rectal cancers, with emphasis on high dissection of the lymph node at the IMA root in all the included studies.

METHODS

PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases were searched to identify relevant articles published until 2020. The patient's perioperative and oncologic outcomes were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using the statistical software RevMan version 5.4.

RESULTS

A total of 17 studies, including four randomized controlled trials, published between 2011 and 2020 were selected. In total, 1,846 patients received low ligation of the IMA plus high dissection of lymph nodes (LL+HD), and 2,648 patients received high ligation of the IMA (HL). LL+HD was associated with low incidence of anastomotic leakage (p < 0.001), borderline long operative time (p = 0.06), and less yields of total lymph nodes (p = 0.03) but equivalent IMA root lymph nodes (p = 0.07); moreover, LL+HD exhibited non-inferior long-term oncological outcomes.

CONCLUSION

In comparison with HL, LL+HD was an effective and safe oncological procedure for sigmoid colon and rectal cancers. Therefore, to ligate the IMA below the level of the left colic artery with D3 high dissection for sigmoid colon and rectal cancers might be suggested once the surgeons are familiar with this technique.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

INPLASY.com, identifier 202190029.

Prognostic Utility of Apical Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients With Left-sided Colorectal Cancer

BACKGROUND

Unlike the tumor nodes metastasis (TNM) lymph node classification, based solely on counts of nodal metastases, the Japanese system of classifying colorectal carcinoma (CRC) focuses on regional lymph node spread. In this study, we explored the prognostic utility of inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) apical lymph node (APN) metastasis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective study of patients with stage III left-sided CRC. All enrollees were subjected to D3 resection between April 2007 and December 2016 at the International Medical Center of Saitama Medical University and then stratified by histologic presence (APN+ group) or absence (APN- group) of tumor in APNs examined postoperatively. Ultimately, propensity score matching was invoked (1:2) and COX regression analysis was conducted, determining group rates of relapse-free survival (RFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS).

RESULTS

A total of 498 patients were studied, grouped as APN+ (19/498, 3.8%) or APN- (479/498, 96.2%). Prior to matching, the APN+ (vs. APN-) group showed significantly more lymphatic involvement (73.7% vs. 47.8%; p=0.023), deep (T3/T4) tumor infiltration (100% vs. 78.9%; p=0.024), and nodal metastasis (N2: 84.2% vs. 27.6%; p<0.001). In addition, para-aortic nodal recurrences were significantly increased (15.7% vs. 2.0%; p<0.001), conferring worse RFS (p<0.001) and CSS (p=0.014) rates. Once baseline factors were matched, the two groups appeared similar in RFS (p=0.415) and CSS (p=0.649). Multivariate regression analysis indicated that elevated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level and deep tumor infiltration were independent risk factors for RFS, whereas postoperative complications and tumor-positive node counts were independent risk factors for CSS. APN+ status was not a significant risk factor for RFS or CSS.

CONCLUSION

APN positivity may thus constitute a regional rather than systemic manifestation. The TNM staging based on the number of metastatic lymph nodes seems to be more reasonable than the regional lymph node classification method.

The effect of different inferior mesenteric artery ligation levels and different lymph node dissection areas on the short- and long-term outcomes of rectal cancer

Background

Surgery is the most effective treatment for rectal cancer patients, but its key steps, including selection of the level of inferior mesenteric artery ligation and removal of 253 lymph nodes, are still inconclusive. This study aimed to analyze the effects of different surgical methods, including levels of ligation (low vs. high) and lymph node dissection areas (D2 vs. D3) on the short-term and long-term outcomes.

Methods

Between March 2014 and August 2018, 253 rectal cancer patients were retrospectively analyzed; 113 patients underwent low ligation D2 lymph node dissection (LLD2), 75 patients underwent low ligation D3 lymph node dissection (LLD3), and 65 patients underwent high ligation (HL). We compared the short-term and long-term outcomes among the different groups.

Results

There were no significant differences among the groups in terms of the intraoperative variables, including operative time, blood transfusion, and conversion from laparoscopic to open surgery. The median blood loss was significantly lower in LLD3 (50 mL) than in LLD2 (100 mL) and HL (100 mL), but it was not significantly different between LLD2 and HL. There were no significant differences among the LLD2, LLD3, and HL groups in the incidence of postoperative complications (9.7% vs. 12.0% vs. 10.8%, respectively) and hospital stay (14 vs. 15 vs. 14, respectively). The anastomotic leakage Clavien-Dindo grade was significantly lower with LLD2 and LLD3 than with HL, but it was the same between LLD2 and LLD3. The total number of lymph nodes harvested in the LLD3 group (n=14) was higher than that in the LLD2 group (n=12), but it was not significantly different than that in the HL group (n=13). There were no significant differences among the groups in terms of 3-year overall survival rate and disease-free survival rate.

Conclusions

Low ligation was similar to HL in terms of major intraoperative and postoperative parameters, but it can reduce the severity of anastomotic leakage to a certain extent. D3 lymph node dissection can increase the total number of lymph nodes harvested, but it did not improve long-term prognosis.

Oncological Outcomes of Robotic-Assisted Surgery With High Dissection and Selective Ligation Technique for Sigmoid Colon and Rectal Cancer

Background: Curative resection of sigmoid colon and rectal cancer includes "high tie" of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA). However, IMA ligation compromises blood flow to the anastomosis, which may increase the complication rate. We present preliminary experiences of operative and oncologic outcomes of patients with rectal or sigmoid colon cancer who underwent robotic surgery employing the high dissection and selective ligation technique. Methods: Over May 2013 to April 2017, 113 stage I-III rectal or sigmoid colon cancer patients underwent robotic surgery with the single-docking technique at one institution. We performed D3 lymph node dissection and low-tie ligation of the IMA (i.e., high dissection and selective ligation technique). Clinicopathological features, perioperative parameters, and postoperative outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Sphincter preservation rate was 96.3% in rectal cancer patients. Median number of harvested lymph nodes was 12. Apical nodes were pathologically harvested in 84 (82.4%) patients. R0 resection was performed in 108 (95.6%) patients. Overall complication rate was 17.7%; but most complications were mild and the patients recovered uneventfully. Estimated 5-year OS was 86.1% and 3-year DFS was 79.6% after median follow-up periods of 49.1 months (range, 5.3-85.3). Conclusions: High dissection of the IMA and selective ligation of the major feeding vessel to the sigmoid colon or rectum can be safely performed using da Vinci Surgical System,yielding favorable clinical, and oncologic outcomes in rectal or sigmoid colon cancer treatment.