Is splenic flexure mobilization necessary in laparoscopic anterior resection? Another view

Splenic flexure mobilization and anastomotic leakage in anterior resection for rectal cancer: A multicentre cohort study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Some colorectal surgeons advocate routine splenic flexure mobilization (SFM) when performing anterior resection for rectal cancer to ensure a tension-free anastomosis. Meta-analyses of smaller studies suggest that this approach does not influence anastomotic leakage rates, but larger multicentre studies are needed to confirm the safety of a selective strategy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of SFM on anastomotic leakage.

METHODS

This is a retrospective multicentre cohort study, comprising 1109 patients operated with anterior resection for rectal cancer in 2014-2018. Exposure was SFM, while anastomotic leakage within a year constituted the outcome. Stratified analyses were performed for type of mesorectal excision and surgical approach, as well as sensitivity analysis considering vascular tie placement. Multivariable Cox regression with hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was employed to adjust for confounding, while multiple imputation was used for missing data.

RESULTS

SFM was performed in 381 patients (34.4%). Anastomotic leakage occurred in 83 (21.8%) and 123 (20.3%) patients operated with and without SFM, respectively. SFM was neither clearly detrimental nor beneficial regarding anastomotic leakage (adjusted HR = 0.82; 95% CI: 0.59-1.15), with no apparent differences for total or partial mesorectal excision and minimally invasive or open surgery. Concurrent high vascular ligation did not impact these results, and there was no evidence of interaction from centers with a more common use of SFM.

CONCLUSIONS

SFM did not seem to influence the risk of anastomotic leakage after anterior resection for rectal cancer, regardless of type of mesorectal excision, use of minimally invasive surgery, or high vascular ligation.

Efficacy of the polyglycolic acid sheet for preventing anastomotic leakage in double-stapling technique anastomosis for left-sided colon or rectal cancer surgery: a propensity score-matched study

BACKGROUND

To prevent anastomotic leakage in patients with left-sided colorectal cancer who underwent double-stapling technique (DST) anastomosis, we investigated a new method: DST anastomosis with a polyglycolic acid (PGA) sheet. This procedure has been shown to have the potential to decrease the rate of anastomotic leakage. However, due to the small number of cases enrolled in our previous study, it was not possible to compare the outcomes of the new and conventional procedures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the PGA sheet on preventing anastomotic leakage in patients with left-sided colorectal cancer who underwent DST anastomosis by retrospectively comparing the anastomotic leakage rate between the PGA sheet and conventional groups.

METHODS

A total of 356 patients with left-sided colorectal cancer who underwent DST anastomosis during surgery at Osaka City University Hospital between January 2016 and April 2022 were enrolled in this study. Propensity score matching was performed to reduce the confounding effects secondary to imbalances in the use of PGA sheets.

RESULTS

The PGA sheet was used in 43 cases (PGA sheet group) and it was not used in 313 cases (conventional group). After propensity score matching, the incidence of anastomotic leakage in the PGA sheet group was significantly lower than that in the conventional group.

CONCLUSION

DST anastomosis with PGA sheet, which is easy to perform, contributes to the reduction of anastomotic leakage rate by increasing the strength of the anastomotic site.

Gaining Mesenteric Length following Colorectal Resection: Essential Maneuvers to Avoid Anastomotic Tension

A surgeon must possess the knowledge and technical skill to obtain length following a left-sided colorectal resection to perform a tension free anastomosis. The distal target organ - either rectum or anus - is fixed in location, and therefore requires surgeons to acquire mastery of proximal mobilization of the colonic conduit. Generally, splenic flexure mobilization (SFM) provides adequate length. Surgeons benefit from clearer understanding of the multiple steps involved in SFM as a result of improved visualization and demonstration of the relevant anatomy - adjacent organs and the attachments, embryologic planes, and mesenteric structures. Much may be attributed to laparoscopic and robotic platforms which provided improved exposure and as a result, development or refinement of novel approaches for SFM with potential advantages. Complete mobilization draws upon the sum or combination of the varied approaches to accomplish the goal. However, in the situation where extended resection is necessary or in the case of re-operative surgery sacrificing either more proximal or distal large intestine often occurs, the transverse colon or even the ascending colon represents the proximal conduit for anastomosis. This challenging situation requires familiarity with special maneuvers to achieve colorectal or coloanal anastomosis using these more proximal conduits. In such instances, operative techniques such as either ileal mesenteric window with retroileal anastomosis or de-rotation of the right colon (Deloyer's procedure) enable the intestinal surgeon to construct such anastomoses and thereby avoid stoma creation or loss of additional large intestine.

The Colorectal Anastomosis: A Timeless Challenge

Colorectal anastomosis is a sophisticated problem that demands an elaborate discussion and an elegant solution. "Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it." George Santayana, Life of Reason , 1905.

Prevention of anastomotic leakage using a polyglycolic acid sheet in double-stapling technique anastomosis for rectal surgery

Background

Due to the development of surgical techniques and devices, the incidence of anastomosis leakage in rectal surgery has decreased. However, anastomotic leakage in rectal surgery remains a serious postoperative complication. The present study examined whether or not a polyglycolic acid (PGA) sheet is effective for reinforcing rectal anastomosis.

Material and methods

Fifteen patients who underwent double-stapling technique (DST) anastomosis during rectal surgery were enrolled in this study. The PGA sheet was used as the reinforcing material. DST anastomosis was performed with the PGA sheet sandwiched, and a strip of the PGA sheet was wrapped around the anastomosis.

Results

No patients had anastomotic leakage.

Conclusion

A PGA sheet may be effective for preventing anastomotic leakage in DST anastomosis for rectal surgery.

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The new method for preventing anastomotic leakage in rectal surgery.

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A polyglycolic acid (PGA) sheet which is absorbable reinforcement material was used.

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Thanks to the use of the PGA sheet, no patients had anastomotic leakage.

Surgical Management of Recurrent Uncomplicated Diverticulitis

Sigmoid diverticulitis represents a most common gastroenterological diagnosis in the western world. There has been a significant change in the management of recurrent uncomplicated diverticulitis in the last 10 to 15 years. The absolute number of previous episodes is not used as criteria to recommend surgery anymore. Young age is no longer considered to be an indication for more aggressive surgical treatment. It is accepted that subsequent episodes of diverticulitis are not significantly worse than the first episode. Laparoscopic surgery is now the standard of care for elective surgery for diverticulitis where expertise is available. There is a consensus that decision to perform sigmoid colectomy should be individualized, after careful risk benefit assessment.

[Splenic flexure mobilization in surgery for rectal cancer]

Nowadays, the issue of splenic flexure mobilization (SFM) in anterior and low anterior rectal resection for rectal cancer is still debatable. This stage is important because dissection results tension-free anastomosis and excision of specimen of enough length with adequate number of harvested lymph nodes. However, literature review confirmed the absence of agreement regarding reduced incidence of colorectal anastomotic leakage and improved long-term oncologic outcomes after SFM. Opinion about selective approach to this procedure is becoming more common. Therefore, randomized trials are necessary to determine a need for routine SFM or indications for selective approach to SFM in anterior rectal resection for rectal cancer.

Examining Utility of Routine Splenic Flexure Mobilization during Colectomy and Impact on Anastomotic Complications

BACKGROUND

Despite a lack of supporting data, routine splenic flexure mobilization (SFM) during colectomy has been thought to reduce anastomotic leak (AL). We evaluated the impact of SFM on outcomes in distal colectomy.

STUDY DESIGN

The 2005-2016 NSQIP database identified 66,068 patients undergoing distal colectomy with anastomosis. Cohorts were stratified by addition of SFM. Postoperative outcomes were compared between groups. Regression analysis identified factors affecting odds of developing AL.

RESULTS

SFM was performed in 27,475 patients (41.6%). There was no difference in overall complications between cases with SFM and those without (p = 0.55). SFM had longer operative times (220 min vs. 184 min; p < 0.0001). SFM was not associated with any difference in AL rate (3.6% vs. 3.7%; p = 0.86). Factors most associated with AL were lack of oral antibiotic preparation (OR 1.93; p < 0.001), chemotherapy (OR 1.91; p < 0.001), and weight loss (OR 1.68; p = 0.0005). Operative indication and approach did not affect leak.

CONCLUSIONS

SFM in distal colectomy increased operative time without decreasing overall complications or AL. Routine splenic flexure mobilization may add risk without significant benefit.

Three-step standardized approach for complete mobilization of the splenic flexure during robotic rectal cancer surgery

AIM

The aim of this technical note is to describe a three-step technique for expeditious and complete mobilization of the splenic flexure (CMSF) during single docking totally robotic rectal cancer surgery.

METHOD

A prospectively maintained database was searched for all patients who underwent single docking totally robotic rectal cancer surgery with CMSF through a stepwise technique.

RESULTS

We studied 89 patients underwent CMSF during single docking totally robotic lower anterior resection for rectal cancer.

CONCLUSION

The technique demonstrates that CMSF can be performed with a standardized approach using the natural embryological planes of surgery. Moreover, this technique does not involve any change in patient's position on the operating table or undocking the robotic system. We have included an intra-operative video recording to demonstrate the technique.

How much colonic redundancy could be obtained by splenic flexure mobilization in laparoscopic anterior or low anterior resection?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Splenic flexure mobilization (SFM) is performed to ensure a tension free anastomosis with an adequate resection margin in laparoscopic anterior resection (AR) or low anterior resection (LAR). This retrospective study was performed to determine the amount of colonic redundancy that can be expected by SFM.

METHODS

Retrospective review of medical record for a total of 203 patients who underwent SFM during laparoscopic AR or LAR for the treatment of sigmoid colon or rectal cancer was performed.

RESULTS

The obtained redundancy of the colon by SFM was 27.81 ± 7.29 cm from the sacral promontory. The redundancy of the colon by SFM with high ligation of the inferior mesenteric vein (IMV) (29.54 ± 7.17 cm from the sacral promontory) was greater than that with low ligation of the IMV (24.94 ± 6.07 cm from the sacral promontory, P < 0.0001). It took about 9.82% of the total operation time to perform SFM. There was no intraoperative complication during SFM.

CONCLUSIONS

SFM during laparoscopic AR or LAR is a safe and feasible option. Based on the result of this study, one can gain about 27.81 cm redundancy of the colon by SFM.