Is Laparoscopic CME Right Hemicolectomy an Optimal Indication for NET of the Right Colon and Terminal Ileum?

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Since lymphadenectomy is crucial in midgut neuroendocrine tumor (NET) surgery, we adopted laparoscopic CME right hemicolectomy (LRH-CME) for the treatment of right colon and terminal ileum NETs. In this report, we present a series of nine cases of terminal midgut NETs (TM-NETs) treated by LRH-CME with a video demonstrating oncological principles and the surgical technique. METHODS: From September 2014 to November 2019, nine patients affected by TM-NETs underwent LRH-CME at the Unit of General and Hepatobiliary Surgery, University of Verona Hospital Trust, ENETS Center of Excellence. Clinicopathological data, post-operative and oncological outcomes were prospectively collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Tumors were in ileocecal valve or terminal ileum (5 cases), right colon (3 cases), and appendix (one case). Surgery had a curative intent (R0 resection) in 7 cases. Surgical debulking was required in 2 metastatic cases. Mean surgical time was 212 + 41 min and blood loss 47 + 24 mL. No postoperative mortality was observed. Post-operative course was uneventful in all except one case (Clavien-Dindo III). Median number of harvested lymph nodes was 21 (range, 11-31) and eight out of 9 patients were node positive (median 3, range 0-6). At a median follow-up of 18 months (range, 6-50), none of the patients suffered from mesenteric locoregional recurrence and all R0 resected patients were disease-free. CONCLUSIONS: Terminal midgut NETs represent an optimal indication for LRH-CME which increases the chance of complete resection and allows optimal lymphadenectomy. In expert hands, laparoscopic approach should be favored in consideration of good short-term outcomes.