Conventional surgery in colon cancer with comparison to complete mesocolic excision and central vascular ligation: initial experience in a tertiary centre.

INTRODUCTION: The complete mesocolic excision (CME) and central vascular ligation (CVL) is an advanced surgical technique used to treat colon cancer. It combines the removal of the affected portion of the colon and surrounding lymph nodes with an improved method of controlling the vascular supply to the tumour. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of patients with colon cancer underwent right hemicolectomy (either CME and CVL or conventional method) were operated by colorectal surgeons in a tertiary centre in Kuala Lumpur from 2018 to 2020. We review the data to compare the oncological, pathological and surgical outcomes of both techniques. Categorical variables were presented as frequencies and percentages. Continuous variables were compared using an independent t-test or Mann-Whitney Rank U test. The chi-square test was used to determine the association between categorical variables and mortality. Statistical analysis was conducted with IBM SPSS Statistics 25.0, and statistical significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients (CME and CVL=15 or conventional colectomies=15) were included in this study with mean age of 65 years. There was no statistical difference between the mean age of the two groups (p=0.355). Most of the patients were Malays (46.7%) followed by Chinese (43.3 %) and Indians (10.0%). The mean (SD) = 19 (9) number of lymph nodes harvested is more in CME and CVL groups which however is not statistically significant compared to the mean (SD) = 16 (9), number of lymph nodes in conventional colectomies. The duration of surgery is longer in CME and CVL groups (214 minutes) compared to conventional colectomies (188 minutes) but with no significant statistical difference. Most of the perioperative complications were similar in both groups with no significant statistical differences. CONCLUSION: CME and CVL are not inferior to conventional surgery in colon surgery in a tertiary centre. It should be considered since the advantages such as lymph node yield and median recurrence free survival are better with similar perioperative morbidity.

Complete mesocolic excision in comparison with conventional surgery for right colon cancer: a nationwide multicenter study of the Italian Society of Surgical Oncology colorectal cancer network (CoME-in trial). Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Complete mesocolic excision with central vascular ligation, or simply CME, includes the sharp dissection along the mesocolic visceral and parietal layers, with the ligation of the main vessels at their origins. To date, there is low evidence on its safety and efficacy. This is a study-protocol of a multicenter, randomized, superiority trial in patients with right-sided colon cancer. It aims to investigate whether the complete mesocolic excision improves the oncological outcomes as compared with conventional right hemicolectomy, without worsening early outcomes. Data on efficacy and safety of complete mesocolic excision are available only from a large trial recruiting eastern patients and from a low-volume single-center western study. No results on survival are still available. For this reason, complete mesocolic excision continues to be a controversial topic in daily practice, particularly in western world. This new nationwide multicenter large-volume trial aims to provide further data on western patients, concerning both postoperative and survival outcomes.

Selective central vascular ligation (D3 lymphadenectomy) in patients undergoing minimally invasive complete mesocolic excision for colon cancer: optimizing the risk-benefit equation.

AIM: Complete mesocolic excision (CME) with central vascular ligation (CVL) has been advocated for right colon adenocarcinoma (RC), but the radicality of vascular dissection remains controversial. Our aim is to report outcomes of selective CVL (D3 lymphadenectomy) during minimally invasive CME for RC. METHOD: A prospective database identified patients who were treated for RC between 2009 and 2016. Minimally invasive CME was standard. The radicality of lymphadenectomy was defined as high ligation (HL) versus CVL based on operative reports and videos. Two blinded radiologists independently evaluated the pre- and postoperative CT scans for radiographically abnormal nodes. RESULTS: Of 197 patients who underwent CME, HL was performed in 56 (28%) and CVL in 141 (72%). There were no baseline differences in age, sex, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists score or pathological staging, and there were no major intra-operative complications in either group (including no major vascular injuries). The median total number of nodes retrieved was 27 and 31 (P = 0.011) in HL and CVL groups, resepctively, with pathologically positive nodes identified in 33.9% and 39.8% (P = 0.704), respectively. Preoperative imaging identified abnormal cN3 nodes in 1.5% of patients; all of whom underwent CVL. No abnormal cN2 or cN3 nodes remained on postoperative imaging. The 60-day mortality was 0.5%, and major morbidity was 4%. One patient (0.5%) had an anastomotic recurrence after a median follow-up of 22 months. CONCLUSION: With imperfect preoperative clinical nodal staging, and in the absence of randomized data, the low morbidity and oncological outcomes observed support the approach of CME with HL as a minimum standard, with CVL (D3 lymphadenectomy) in selected cases.

Vascular anatomy of the transverse mesocolon and bidirectional laparoscopic D3 lymph node dissection for patients with advanced transverse colon cancer.

Laparoscopic D3 lymph node dissection for transverse colon cancer is technically demanding because of complicated anatomy. Here, we reviewed the vascular structure of the transverse mesocolon, explored the extent of the base of the transverse mesocolon, and evaluated the feasibility and oncological safety of D3 lymph node dissection. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 42 patients with advanced transverse colon cancer who underwent curative surgery and D3 dissection at Kyushu University Hospital between January 2008 and December 2015. We examined the venous and arterial anatomy of the transverse mesocolon of each resection and compared surgical outcomes between patients who underwent laparoscopic D3 (Lap D3) and open D3 (Open D3) dissection. Patients included two with Stage I, 18 with Stage II, 20 with Stage III, and two with Stage IVA. Thirty-six (85.7%) and six (14.3%) patients underwent Lap D3 or Open D3, respectively. The tumor sizes of the Open D3 and Lap D3 groups were 7.8 and 3.7 cm, respectively (P < 0.001). The Lap D3 group had significantly less blood loss (26 mL vs 272 mL, P = 0.002). The other outcomes of the two groups were not significantly different, including 3-year overall survival (87.7% vs 83.3%, P = 0.385). We observed four patterns of the middle colic artery (MCA) arising from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), and the frequency of occurrence of a single MCA was 64.3%. The right-middle colic vein (MCV) was present in 92.9% of resections and served as a tributary of the gastrocolic trunk, and 90.5% of the left MCVs drained into the superior mesenteric vein (SMV). The root of the transverse mesocolon was broadly attached to the head of the pancreas and to the surfaces of the SMV and SMA. Laparoscopic D3 lymph node dissection may be tolerated by patients with advanced transverse colon cancer.

Laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer with persistent descending mesocolon.

BACKGROUND: Persistent descending mesocolon (PDM) is caused by the absence of fusion of the descending colon to the retroperitoneum. We herein report two colorectal cancer cases with PDM that were treated with laparoscopic surgery. CASE PRESENTATION: Case 1: a 50-year-old man with sigmoid colon cancer and synchronous liver metastasis. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, he underwent laparoscopic sigmoidectomy with lymph node dissection cutting the root of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) and synchronous liver resection. He experienced postoperative stenosis of the reconstructed colon possibly due to an impaired arterial blood flow in the reconstructed colon. Case 2: a 77-year-old man with rectal cancer. Laparoscopic low anterior resection preserving the left colic artery (LCA) was performed. Intraoperative infrared ray (IR) imaging using indocyanine green (ICG) showed good blood flow of the reconstructed colon. He had no postoperative complications. In cases of PDM, the mesentery of the descending and sigmoid colon containing the LCA is often shortened, and the marginal artery of the reconstructed colon is located close to the root of the LCA. Lymph node dissection accompanied by cutting the LCA carries a risk of marginal artery injury. Therefore, we recommend lymph node dissection preserving the LCA in colorectal cancer patients with PDM in order to maintain the blood flow of the reconstructed colon. If the IMA and LCA absolutely need to be cut for complete lymph node dissection, the marginal artery should be clearly identified and preserved. In addition, intraoperative IR imaging is extremely useful for evaluating colonic perfusion and reducing the risk of anastomotic complications. CONCLUSION: In colorectal cancer surgery in patients with PDM, surgeons should be aware of these tips for maintaining the blood flow of the reconstructed colon and thereby avoid postoperative complications caused by an impaired blood flow.

Laparoscopic modified mesocolic excision with central vascular ligation in right-sided colon cancer shows better short- and long-term outcomes compared with the open approach in propensity score analysis.

BACKGROUND: The introduction of complete mesocolic excision (CME) with central vessel ligation (CVL) for right-sided colon cancer has improved oncologic outcomes. However, there is controversy over the oncologic safety of laparoscopic CME with CVL. This study compared short-term and long-term oncologic outcomes between laparoscopic and open modified CME (mCME) with CVL in patients with right-sided colon cancer. METHODS: We enrolled 1239 patients who underwent open mCME with CVL and 1010 patients treated by a laparoscopic approach for right-side colon cancer between 2000 and 2013 and used 1:1 propensity score matching to adjust for potential baseline confounders between two groups. RESULTS: After propensity score matching, 683 patients who underwent open mCME with CVL were compared with 683 patients treated with a laparoscopic approach. There were no significant differences between these groups in age, sex, ASA score, TNM stage, tumor size, lymphovascular invasion, and perineural invasion. Comparison of open and laparoscopic mCME groups showed no significant difference in postoperative morbidity (21.4 vs. 18.3%, p = 0.175) and mortality (0.1 vs. 0%, p = 1.000). The laparoscopic mCME group showed shorter length of hospital stay. The 5-year overall survival rate was 83.7% in the open group and 94.7% in the laparoscopic group (p < 0.001). The laparoscopic group also showed a significantly better 5-year disease-free survival rate (82.7 vs. 88.7%, p = 0.009) and 5-year disease-specific survival rate (83.7 vs. 94.7%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic modified mesocolic excision with central vascular ligation is a safe and feasible approach with better short-term recovery profiles and potential oncologic benefits than the open approach for right-sided colon cancer.

Laparoscopic right-sided colon resection for colon cancer-has the control group so far been chosen correctly?

BACKGROUND: The treatment strategies for colorectal cancer located in the right side of the colon have changed dramatically during the last decade. Due to the introduction of complete mesocolic excision (CME) with central ligation of the vessels and systematic lymph node dissection, the long-term survival of affected patients has increased significantly. It has also been proposed that right-sided colon resection can be performed laparoscopically with the same extent of resection and equal long-term results. METHODS: A retrospective evaluation of a prospectively expanded database on right-sided colorectal cancer or adenoma treated at the University Hospital of Wuerzburg between 2009 and 2016 was performed. All patients underwent CME. This data was analyzed alone and in comparison to the published data describing laparoscopic right-sided colon resection for colon cancer. RESULTS: The database contains 279 patients, who underwent right-sided colon resection due to colorectal cancer or colorectal adenoma (255 open; 24 laparoscopic). Operation data (time, length of stay, time on ICU) was equal or superior to laparoscopy, which is comparable to the published results. Surprisingly, the surrogate parameter for correct CME (the number of removed lymph nodes) was significantly higher in the open group. In a subgroup analysis only including patients who were feasible for laparoscopic resection and had been operated with an open procedure by an experienced surgeon, operation time was significantly shorter and the number of removed lymph nodes is significantly higher in the open group. CONCLUSION: So far, several studies demonstrate that laparoscopic right-sided colon resection is comparable to open resection. Our data suggests that a consequent CME during an open operation leads to significantly more removed lymph nodes than in laparoscopically resected patients and in several so far published data of open control groups from Europe. Further prospective randomized trials comparing the long-term outcome are urgently needed before laparoscopy for right-sided colon resection can be recommended ubiquitously.

"Top down no-touch" technique in robotic complete mesocolic excision for extended right hemicolectomy with intracorporeal anastomosis.

BACKGROUND: Proper identification of the mesocolic vessels is essential for achieving complete mesocolic excision (CME) in cases of colon cancer requiring an extended right hemicolectomy. In robotic procedures, we employed a "top down technique" to allow early identification of the gastrocolic trunk and middle colic vessels. The aim of our study was to illustrate the details of this technique in a series of 12 patients. METHODS: The top down technique consists of two steps. First, the omental bursa was entered to identify the right gastroepiploic vein. Tracing down this vein as a landmark, the gastrocolic trunk was exposed, branches of this trunk and the middle colic vessels were divided. Second, dissection was directed to the ileocolic region and proceeded in an inferior-to-superior direction along the superior mesenteric vein to divide the ileocolic and right colic vessels consecutively. The ileotranverse anastomosis was created intracorporeally. RESULTS: There were 8 males and 4 females with a mean age of 64.8 ± 16.9 years and a mean body mass index of 25.6 ± 3.7 kg/m2. All the procedures were completed successfully. No conversions occurred. The mean operative time and blood loss were 312.1 ± 93.9 min and 110.0 ± 89.9 ml, respectively. The mean number of harvested lymph nodes was 45.2 ± 11.1. The mean length of hospital stay was 7.6 ± 4.7 days. Two patients had intraoperative complications and two had postoperative complications. There was no disease recurrence at a mean follow-up period of 10.4 ± 7.1 months. CONCLUSIONS: The top down technique appears to be useful in robotic CME for an extended right hemicolectomy. Early identification of the gastrocolic trunk and middle colic vessels via this technique may prevent inadvertent vascular injury at the mesenteric root of the transverse colon.

Radiological and pathological evaluation of the level of arterial division after colon cancer surgery.

AIM: In aiming to cure patients with colorectal cancer surgery, the surgeon must carefully dissect the mesocolon and mesorectum and divide the vascular pedicle near to its origin so as to include all local lymph nodes. This has been termed complete mesocolic excision. The distance from the distal vascular tie to the bowel wall in the fixed specimen is an indication as to the quality of surgery but this does not assess the length of the residual vascular pedicle and, by implication, residual lymph nodes. The aim of this study was to establish if our surgeons were carrying out complete mesocolic excision by assessing the length of the proximal arterial pedicle and relating this to arterial length in the fixed specimen. METHOD: This was a single centre prospective study of patients undergoing elective surgery for locally advanced colorectal cancer. An abdominal and pelvic CT scan was performed 2 days postoperatively and a radiologist blinded to the operative procedure measured the length of the residual arterial stump. Similarly, the length of the vessel in the fixed resected specimen and lymph node yield were also recorded. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients were recruited. The mean length of the residual arterial stump was 38 mm (95% CI: 33-43), which was significantly longer than the < 10 mm recommended in guidelines (P < 0.0001). The mean length was 31 mm (95% CI: 25-37) and 49 mm (95% CI: 40-57) for left and right sided resections respectively. There was no correlation between the residual arterial stump and the pathology. CONCLUSIONS: The residual arterial length was greater than suggested by guidelines and may indicate that our surgery is less radical than we planned. Caution should be taken when using pathological measurements of vascular ligation as it may not reflect the height of the pedicle division.

Importance of the Moskowitz artery in the laparoscopic medial approach to splenic flexure mobilization: a cadaveric study.

BACKGROUND: The medial approach in laparoscopic splenic flexure mobilization is based on the entrance to the lesser sac just above the ventral edge of the pancreas (VEOP). The artery of Moskowitz runs through the base of the mesocolon, just above the VEOP. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of the artery of Moskowitz, its route and its distance from the VEOP. METHODS: We performed a cadaveric study on 27 human cadavers. The vascular arcades of the splenic flexure were dissected, the number of vascular arches, and the origin and localization of its terminal anastomosis were recorded. The splenic flexure avascular space (SFAS) was defined as the avascular zone in the mesocolon delimited by the VEOP, middle colic artery, ascending branch of the left colic artery and the vascular arch of the splenic flexure nearest to the VEOP and was quantified as the distance between the VEOP and the most proximal arch RESULTS: The artery of Drummond was identified in 100% of the cadavers. In 5 of 27 (18%) Riolan's arch was present, and in 3 of 27 (11%) the Moskowitz artery was found. The mean distance from the VEOP to the artery of Moskowitz was 0.3 cm (SD 0.04). This vascular arch travelled from the origin of the middle colic artery to the distal third of the ascending branch of the left colic artery. The SFAS was greater (p = 0.001) in cadavers that only presented the artery of Drummond (mean 6.8 cm; SD 1.25) than in those with Riolan's arch (mean 4.5 cm; SD 0.5) CONCLUSIONS: In the medial approach for laparoscopic mobilization of the splenic flexure, when only one of the arches is present, the avascular area is an extensive and secure territory. If the artery of Moskowitz is present, the area is nonexistent and this would contraindicate the approach due to risk of iatrogenic bleeding. A radiological preoperatory study could be essential for accurate and safe surgery in this area.

Initial retrocolic endoscopic tunnel approach (IRETA) for complete mesocolic excision (CME) with central vascular ligation (CVL) for right colonic cancers: technique and pathological radicality.

INTRODUCTION: The concept of complete mesocolic excision (CME) with central vascular ligation (CVL) for treatment of right colon cancer evolved over last one decade. It decreases local recurrences and improves the survival rates. We describe our novel technique which involves first posterior sharp dissection between planes of parietal and visceral fascia of mesocolon followed by ligation of ileocolic, right colic and middle colic pedicles at their origin. We highlight the technical variations with various techniques and advantages over conventional medial to lateral approach in current study. AIM: The outcomes were measured in terms of technical feasibility, short-term outcomes and pathological radicality of current laparoscopic technique (IRETA) for CME with CVL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred twelve patients (163 males) who underwent laparoscopic CME for right colon cancer over the period of January 2009 to December 2013 were analysed via prospectively maintained database. RESULTS: 97.16 % of patients (n = 206) underwent laparoscopic CME while six patients required open conversion. Mean operative time was 142 ± 28.4 min with median hospital stay of 5 days (range 4-11). The median count of lymph node harvested were 24 (range 10-42). The complete mesocolic excision plane was achieved in 93.8 % patients. 84.4 % (n = 179) of our patients were having (T3, N+) disease on pathological examination. The overall morbidity (<30 days) was 9.9 %. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic initial retrocolic endoscopic tunnel approach (IRETA) for CME with CVL in right colonic cancers is safe, simpler and feasible laparoscopic approach with minimal complications. Creation of retro colic tunnel is key highlight of IRETA approach. This approach becomes especially useful in patients with late presentations where complete mesocolic excision remains essential to enhance oncological radicality as per evidence available.

[Fluorescence angiography in the detection of anastomotic perfusion during rectal and sigmoid resection - preliminary report]. / Fluorescencní angiografie v detekci kvality perfuze anastomózy u resekce sigmoidea a rekta - zhodnocení prubezných výsledku.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to evaluate the results of fluorescence angiography for assessing anastomotic perfusion after resection of the sigmoid colon and rectum since its introduction into clinical practice at the authors´ workplace and to evaluate the incidence of necessary resection line repositioning based on the quality of perfusion, and also to record any complications in anastomotic healing. METHOD: Retrospective unicentric analysis of prospectively collected data from patients with resection of the sigmoid colon and rectum with primary anastomosis. The patient set included 50 patients, 27 males and 23 females; the median age was 64.5 years (33-80). Forty-four patients were indicated for resection for cancer of the sigmoid colon or rectum, while 6 patients had a benign disease. Twenty-nine patients underwent total mesorectal excision with coloanal mechanical or hand-sewn anastomosis and 21 underwent resection of the sigmoid colon or upper rectum with mechanical anastomosis. Prior to the construction of the anastomosis, assessment of perfusion of the anastomotic segments by near infrared (NIR) indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence angiography was performed in all patients. The quality of perfusion of the mesocolon and bowel wall and its impact on moving the resection line and complications of anastomotic healing 30 days postoperatively were all evaluated. RESULTS: Assessment of perfusion using fluorescence angiography was technically successfully performed in all 50 patients. In 5 cases (10%) the resection line had to be moved for signs of poor perfusion of the bowel wall. Postoperatively, healing of the anastomosis was complicated in four patients (8%). Dehiscence was recorded in 3 patients (10.3%) with total mesorectal excision and in 1 patient (4.8%) after resection of the sigmoid colon and upper rectum. CONCLUSION: The presented results indicate that fluorescence angiography may lead to a decrease in the incidence of anastomotic dehiscence after colorectal resections by mapping in detail the perfusion of the anastomosed segments.Key words: fluorescence angiography - indocyanine green - anastomotic leak - colorectal resection.