[Primary retroperitoneal approach for vessel-sparing D3-lymph node dissection in left colonic and rectal cancer resections - the first Russian experience]

OBJECTIVE

To develop and describe a technique of primary retroperitoneal approach for vessel-sparing D3-lymph node dissection in the left colon and rectal cancer surgery; to evaluate the short-term results of the first series of patients treated with a new minimally invasive method.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The first 10 patients with adenocarcinoma of the left colon and rectum, who underwent surgical treatment using the retroperitoneal approach with vessel-sparing D3 lymph node dissection, were included in the study. The primary retroperitoneal approach involved mobilization of the left side of the colon, D3 lymph node dissection with skeletonization of inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) and selective ligation of afferent vessels from retroperitoneal space using SILS access system at the first steps of surgery. Intersection of visceral and parietal peritoneum, as well as intersection of mesentery within the bowel resection borders was performed laparoscopically. Surgical specimen was removed through retroperitoneal access incision.

RESULTS

Duration of retroperitoneal stage with lymph node dissection was 100 min (70.0-115.0). There were 28.5 (22-37) regional lymph nodes removed during vessel-sparing D3 lymph node dissection with IMA skeletalization, 3 (1-4) metastatic regional lymph nodes and 3.5 (2-5) apical nodes. In 4 out of 10 patients, we damaged visceral peritoneum during retroperitoneal dissection. Two patients developed Clavien-Dindo grade 1-2 complications. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 8 days (5-12).

CONCLUSION

We developed retroperitoneal vessel-sparing D3 lymph node dissection for the treatment of left colon and rectal cancer. Initial results demonstrated safety and feasibility of this approach.

Surgeon's role in CT-based preoperative determination of inferior mesenteric artery anatomy in colorectal cancer treatment

BACKGROUND

The inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) is a blood vessel of great importance in left colon and rectal cancer surgery. We aimed to determine the role of surgeons in computed tomography (CT) based vascular anatomy interpretation.

METHOD

Patients with left colon and rectal cancer treated surgically with D3 lymph node dissection and selective vascular ligation were included in this study. All patients (n=250) underwent preoperative CT with intravenous contrast. The IMA anatomy was schematically depicted by surgeon based on CT interpretation. Intraoperatively anatomy was defined by skeletonisation of the IMA. All patients had segmental resection with selective vascular ligation. The concurrence of prospectively obtained results were evaluated by intraclass correlation and Kendall's tau-b test. Misinterpretation of IMA anatomy was analysed by CT-specialist.

RESULTS

The preoperative and intraoperative IMA anatomy features were correctly interpreted in 237 cases (in 94.8%) within skeletonisation extent, which is supported by high level of agreement and concordance of preoperative data regards to intraoperative findings (K=0.926; p<0.001; CC=0.912; p<0.001). As a result of the CT-based evaluation of the IMA, E, K, and H types of branching patterns were proposed. IMV position was mistakenly identified in 2.6% of cases.

CONCLUSION

Surgeons are able to evaluate the IMA anatomy accurately with CT and use it in routine preoperative planning. The E, K, and H branching types may be used when defining approach to skeletonisation and level of vascular ligation.