Single-incision laparoscopic right hemicolectomy: inferior-to-superior approach with intracorporeal anastomosis

The usefulness of the endoscopic surgical skill qualification system in laparoscopic right hemicolectomy: a single-center, retrospective analysis with propensity score matching

PURPOSE

Recently, a new certification system called the Endoscopic Surgical Skill Qualification System (ESSQS) has been launched in Japan to improve surgical safety. This study aimed to determine whether ESSQS-qualified surgeons affect the short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic right hemicolectomy.

METHODS

A total of 187 colon cancer patients who underwent laparoscopic right hemicolectomy at Kindai University Hospital between January 2016 and December 2020 were enrolled. These patients were divided into two groups based on surgeries performed by ESSQS-qualified surgeons (QS group) and non-ESSQS-qualified surgeons (NQS group). The short- and long-term outcomes were compared between the two groups before and after propensity score matching (PSM).

RESULTS

After PSM, 43 patients from each group were included in the matched cohort. In the short-term outcomes, the total operative time was significantly longer in the NQS group than in the QS group (229 vs. 174 min, p < 0.0001). However, there were no significant differences in the two groups regarding blood loss (0 vs. 0 ml, p = 0.7126), conversion (0.0% vs. 7.0%, p = 0.0779), Clavien-Dindo ≥ 2 complications (9.3% vs. 7.0%, p = 0.6933), mortality (2.3% vs. 0.0%, p = 0.3145), and postoperative hospital stay (9 vs. 9 days, p = 0.5357). In the long-term outcomes, there were no significant differences between the two groups in the 3-year overall survival (86.6% vs. 83.0%, p = 0.8361) and recurrence-free survival (61.7% vs. 72.0%, p = 0.3394).

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy performed by ESSQS-qualified surgeons contributed to shorter operative time. Under the supervision of ESSQS-qualified surgeons, almost equivalent safety and oncological outcomes are expected even in surgeries performed by non-ESSQS-qualified surgeons.

Single-port laparoscopic extended right hemicolectomy with complete mesocolic excision and central vascular ligation using a right colon rotation technique (flip-flap method)

INTRODUCTION

Single-port laparoscopic extended right hemicolectomy with complete mesocolic excision and central vascular ligation is technically challenging, and a standardized procedure is needed to minimize technical hazards.

TECHNIQUE

As a first step, the hepatic flexure is mobilized from the duodenum, and the third part of the duodenum and pancreatic head was exposed. Next, the ileocecal vessels are divided at the root using a medial-to-lateral approach, and the cecum is separated from the retroperitoneal space. This process completes the mobilization of the right colon. In the second step, the omental bursa is opened, and the inferior border of the pancreas is exposed. The mobilized right colon is turned around to the left of the superior mesenteric vein, continuing to separate the mesentery from right to left side, and the right colic vessels are divided at the roots. The inverted right colon is restored to its original position, and the mesenteric fat is dissected along the left edge of the superior mesenteric artery to the inferior border of the pancreas.

RESULTS

A total of 57 consecutive patients with advanced hepatic flexure colon cancer (n = 24) and transverse colon cancer (n = 33) underwent S-ERHC. The conversion rate to open surgery was 5.3%. Operative time, blood loss, and number of harvested lymph nodes were 232 min (interquartile range [IQR], 184-277 min), 5 mL (IQR, 5-66 mL), and 30 (IQR, 22-38), respectively. According to the Clavien-Dindo classification, the grade ≥ 2 complication rate was 10.5%. Median duration of hospitalization was 9 days (IQR, 7-13 days).

CONCLUSIONS

Single-port laparoscopic extended right hemicolectomy using a right colon rotation technique is safe, feasible, and useful. This technique of repeating the inversion and restoration of the right colon may help avoid bleeding and damage to other organs and facilitate reliable lymph node dissection.

Clinical outcome of laparoscopic vs open right hemicolectomy for colon cancer: A propensity score matching analysis of the Japanese National Clinical Database

AIM

The advantages of laparoscopic right hemicolectomy over open surgery for colon cancer in general clinical practice are debated, as evidenced by the continued use of open surgery in a significant proportion of patients worldwide. This study aimed to assess and compare the clinical outcome of laparoscopic and open right hemicolectomy for colon cancer using data from the Japanese National Clinical Database.

METHODS

A total of 72 299 patients who underwent laparoscopic (n = 46 084) and open (n = 26 215) right hemicolectomy for colon cancer between 2014 and 2018 were enrolled in this retrospective study. Short-term outcome was compared between groups using propensity score matching analysis.

RESULTS

The incidence of overall postoperative morbidity ≥ Clavien-Dindo classification grade 3 was significantly higher in the open surgery group than the laparoscopic group (4.7% vs 3.2%, P < .001). The incidence of most individual morbidities, including surgical site infection, anastomotic leakage, and ileus, was higher in the open surgery group. Short-term outcomes, including intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, reoperation rate, 30-day mortality, and in-hospital mortality, were superior in the laparoscopic group, except for operative time. Subgroup analyses showed that the incidence of postoperative morbidity was lower in the laparoscopic group for all prespecified subgroups.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy has an advantage over open surgery for colon cancer with respect to short-term outcome.