Preoperative sequential short-course radiation therapy and FOLFOX chemotherapy versus long-course chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer: a multicenter, randomized controlled trial (SOLAR trial).

BACKGROUND: Preoperative (chemo)radiotherapy has been widely used as an effective treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), leading to a significant reduction in pelvic recurrence rates. Because early administration of intensive chemotherapy for LARC has more advantages than adjuvant chemotherapy, total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) has been introduced and evaluated to determine whether it can improve tumor response or treatment outcomes. This study aims to investigate whether short-course radiotherapy (SCRT) followed by intensive chemotherapy improves oncologic outcomes compared with traditional preoperative long-course chemoradiotherapy (CRT). METHODS: A multicenter randomized phase II trial involving 364 patients with LARC (cT3-4, cN+, or presence of extramural vascular invasion) will be conducted. Patients will be randomly assigned to the experimental or control arm at a ratio of 1:1. Participants in the experimental arm will receive SCRT (25 Gy in 5 fractions, daily) followed by four cycles of FOLFOX (oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and folinic acid) as a neoadjuvant treatment, and those in the control arm will receive conventional radiotherapy (45-50.4 Gy in 25-28 fractions, 5 times a week) concurrently with capecitabine or 5-fluorouracil. As a mandatory surgical procedure, total mesorectal excision will be performed 2-5 weeks from the last cycle of chemotherapy in the experimental arm and 6-8 weeks after the last day of radiotherapy in the control arm. The primary endpoint is 3-year disease-free survival, and the secondary endpoints are tumor response, overall survival, toxicities, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness. DISCUSSION: This is the first Korean randomized controlled study comparing SCRT-based TNT with traditional preoperative LC-CRT for LARC. The involvement of experienced colorectal surgeons ensures high-quality surgical resection. SCRT followed by FOLFOX chemotherapy is expected to improve disease-free survival compared with CRT, with potential advantages in tumor response, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial is registered at Clinical Research Information under the identifier Service KCT0004874 on April 02, 2020, and at Clinicaltrial.gov under the identifier NCT05673772 on January 06, 2023.

Long-term oncologic outcome of D3 lymph node dissection for clinical stage 2/3 right-sided colon cancer.

PURPOSE: To investigate oncologic outcomes including overall survival and disease-free survival depending on the extent of lymphadenectomy (D3 versus D2) by comparing D3 and D2 lymphadenectomy in patients with clinical stage 2/3 right colon cancer. METHODS: Consecutive series of patients who underwent radical resection for right colon cancer at our three hospitals between January 2015 and June 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Study cohorts were divided into two groups: D3 group and D2 group. Oncologic, pathologic, and perioperative outcomes of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: A total of 295 patients (167 in the D2 group and 128 in the D3 group) were included in this study. Patients' characteristics showed no significant difference between the two groups. The median number of harvested lymph nodes was significantly higher in the D3 group than in the D2 group. The rate of complications was not significantly different between the two groups except for chyle leakage, which was more frequent in the D3 group. Five-year disease-free survival was 90.2% (95% CI: 84.8-95.9%) in the D3 group, which was significantly (p = 0.028) higher than that (80.5%, 95% CI: 74-87.5%) in the D2 group. There was no significant difference in overall survival between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that D3 lymphadenectomy is associated with more favorable 5-year disease-free survival than D2 lymphadenectomy for patients with stage 2/3 right-sided colon cancer. D3 lymphadenectomy might improve oncologic outcomes in consideration of the recurrence rate.

Laparoscopic D3 oncological resection in splenic flexure cancer: Technical details and its impact on long-term survival.

AIM: The applicability of laparoscopic D3 oncological resection for splenic flexure cancer (SFC) surgery has not been fully explored due to technical difficulties and variations in surgical procedure. The aim of this work is to describe the feasibility of performing laparoscopic D3 resection in SFC and its impact on long-term survival. METHOD: A retrospective study on 47 out of 52 consecutive patients who underwent elective laparoscopic colectomy for SFC from December 2006 until December 2019 at Korea University Anam Hospital was performed. Data on patients' demographic and clinical features, surgical procedures, intraoperative and postoperative complications, pathological features and follow-up were collected. Categorical data are expressed as frequencies (n) and percentages (%). Continuous data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation and median (range). The Kaplan-Meier test was used to determine the overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and disease-free survival (DFS). RESULTS: The median age of patients was 67.0 years (range 27-87 years) and 72.3% were men. Ten (21.3%) patients presented with an obstructing tumour and underwent an elective laparoscopic colectomy, while 68.1% of patients presented with Stage II and III disease. The conversion rate was 4.3% and the morbidity rate was 31.9%. There was one postoperative death secondary to splenic infarction and anastomotic leak leading to multi-organ failure. Four deaths occurred due to disease progression during a median follow-up of 63.8 months. The rate of recurrence was 20%, the 5-year OS was 89.6% and the 5-year PFS was 72.9%. After R0 resection, the 5-year OS was 91.5% and the 5-year DFS was 74.5%. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic D3 colectomy for SFC is feasible, with an acceptable morbidity and long-term oncological outcome when performed by highly skilled laparoscopic colorectal surgeons with knowledge of the complex anatomy around the splenic flexure. Further randomized trials should be performed to determine the advantage of laparoscopic D3 colectomy over conventional colectomy for SFC.

Laparoscopic Extraperitoneal Approach for Lateral Pelvic Node Dissection in Rectal Cancer: Techniques and Short-Term Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Lateral pelvic lymph node dissection has been performed selectively in rectal cancer cases; however, it involves highly skilled techniques because of the complex adjacent anatomical structures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Laparoscopic EP-LPND was performed in Korea University Anam Hospital from June 2018, and short-term surgical outcomes were analyzed from June to December 2018. Among the patients with histologically diagnosed rectal adenocarcinoma, patients who were suspected Lateral pelvic lymph node metastasis at magnetic resonance imaging were selected for this procedure. RESULTS: Seven patients underwent laparoscopic extraperitoneal approach for lateral pelvic lymph node dissection in the study period. The mean number of retrieved lymph node was 4.57, and metastatic lymph nodes were identified in 3 patients (42.8%). All of the lymph nodes with suspected metastasis preoperatively were removed in postoperative images. There was no immediate postoperative complication beyond the moderate grade associated with lateral pelvic lymph node dissection. The median follow-up was 9 months, and there were no local recurrence nor complications related to sexual and voiding functions. CONCLUSIONS: The laparoscopic extraperitoneal approach might be an efficient way to perform lateral pelvic lymph node dissection using the same principles as the conventional method without violation of the peritoneum.

Robotic approach may be associated with a lower risk of lung metastases compared to laparoscopic approach for mid-low rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy: a multivariate analysis on long-term recurrence patterns.

PURPOSE: Describe differences on recurrence patterns of mid-low rectal cancers treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and low anterior resection between laparoscopic and robotic approach. METHODS: Patients were identified from a prospectively maintained institutional database between 2006 and 2019. Demographics, clinicopathological features, recurrence, and survival were investigated. Cox regression analysis was performed for risk factor analysis. RESULTS: A total of 160 patients (36 laparoscopic and 124 robotic) were included. Systemic recurrence rate was higher in laparoscopic group (27.8 vs 12.1%, p = 0.023). Liver recurrence was similar (11.1 vs 4.0%). Lung recurrence was higher after laparoscopy (19.4 vs 6.5%, p = 0.019). Time to lung recurrence was shorter after laparoscopy (13.0 months, IQR 4.0-20.0) compared to robotic (23.5 months, IQR 17.0-42.7) with no statistical significance. Time to liver recurrence was similar between laparoscopy (19.5 months, IQR 4.7-37.5) and robotic (19.0 months, IQR 10.5-33.0). Median overall survival after lung recurrence was different (p = 0.021) between laparoscopy (19.0 months, IQR 16.0-67.0) and robotic (74.0 months, IQR 50.2-112.2). OS after liver recurrence was similar between groups. Overall survival and lung disease-free survival were different between the two groups (p = 0.032 and p = 0.020), while liver disease-free survival and local recurrence-free survival were not. Laparoscopy (p = 0.030; HR 3.074, 95% CI: 1.112-8.496) was a risk factor for lung disease-free survival on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Lung recurrences were less frequent and with better overall survival in the robotic group. Liver recurrences were not influenced by choice of approach. Trials are needed to investigate why the robotic approach affects distant metastasis control.

Midline incision vs. transverse incision for specimen extraction is not a significant risk factor for developing incisional hernia after minimally invasive colorectal surgery: multivariable analysis of a large cohort from a single tertiary center in Korea.

BACKGROUND: Incisional hernia (IH) is a commonly encountered problem even in the era of minimally invasive surgery (MIS). Numerous studies on IH are available in English literature, but there are lack of data from the Eastern part of the world. This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors as well as incidence of IH by analyzing a large cohort collected from a single tertiary center in Korea. METHODS: Among a total number of 4276 colorectal cancer patients who underwent a surgical resection from 2006 to 2019 in Korea University Anam Hospital, 2704 patients (2200 laparoscopic and 504 robotic) who met the inclusion criteria were analyzed. IH was confirmed by each patient's diagnosis code registered in the hospital databank based on physical examination and/or computed tomography findings. Clinical data including specimen extraction incision (transverse or vertical midline) were compared between IH group and no IH group. Risk factors of developing IH were assessed by utilizing univariable and multivariable analyses. RESULTS: During the median follow-up of 41 months, 73 patients (2.7%) developed IH. Midline incision group (n = 1472) had a higher incidence of IH than that of transverse incision group (n = 1232) (3.5% vs. 1.7%, p = 0.003). The univariable analysis revealed that the risk factors of developing IH were old age, female gender, obesity, co-morbid cardiovascular disease, transverse incision for specimen extraction, and perioperative bleeding requiring transfusion. However, on multivariable analysis, specimen extraction site was not significant in developing IH and transfusion requirement was the strongest risk factor. CONCLUSIONS: IH development after MIS is uncommon in Korean patients. Multivariable analysis suggests that specimen extraction site can be flexibly chosen between midline and transverse incisions, with little concern about risk of developing IH. Careful efforts are required to minimize operative bleeding because blood transfusion is a strong risk factor for developing IH.

Lower Incidence of Postoperative Urinary Retention in Robotic Total Mesorectal Excision for Low Rectal Cancer Compared with Laparoscopic Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence and clinical significance of postoperative urinary retention (POUR) remain high. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of POUR and related risk factors in patients who underwent total mesorectal excision (TMR) for low rectal cancer. METHODS: This study is a retrospective review of a prospectively collected colorectal database from a single center. Data from patients who underwent surgery for low rectal cancer between September 2006 and May 2017 were analyzed to assess the risk factors of POUR. POUR was considered inability to void after urinary catheter removal requiring catheter reinsertion and difficulty in bladder emptying requiring intermittent catheterization. RESULTS: Of 555 patients with low rectal cancer, 78 (14.1%) developed POUR. Based on multivariate logistic regression analysis, laparoscopic TMR (odds ratio [OR]; 2.114, 95% confidence interval [CI]; 1.212-3.689, p = 0.008) and postoperative ileus (OR; 2.389, 95% CI; 1.282-4.450, p = 0.006) were independent risk factors of POUR. Male gender, advanced age, neoadjuvant chemoradiation, longer operative time, abdominoperineal resection, and lateral pelvic lymph node dissection were not associated with POUR. Advanced age over 65 years also failed to show statistical significance (OR; 1.604, 95% CI; 0.965-2.668, p = 0.068). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic approach and postoperative ileus are risk factors for POUR after low rectal cancer surgery. We postulate that the benefits of robotic surgical systems compared to a laparoscopic approach may reduce the incidence of POUR.

Outcomes according to body mass index following laparoscopic surgery in patients with colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: Body mass index (BMI) may not be appropriate for different populations. Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) suggested 25 kg/m2 as a measure of obesity for Asian populations. The purpose of this report was to compare the oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic colorectal resection with BMI classified from the WHO Asia-Pacific perspective. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients underwent laparoscopic colorectal resection from September 2006 to March 2015 at a tertiary referral hospital. A total of 2408 patients were included and classified into four groups: underweight (n = 112, BMI <18.5 kg/m2), normal (n = 886, 18.5-22.9 kg/m2), pre-obese (n = 655, 23-24.9 kg/m2) and obese (n = 755, >25 kg/m2). Perioperative parameters and oncologic outcomes were analysed amongst groups. RESULTS: Conversion rate was the highest in the underweight group (2.7%, P < 0.001), whereas the obese group had the fewest harvested lymph nodes (21.7, P < 0.001). Comparing oncologic outcomes except Stage IV, the underweight group was lowest for overall (P = 0.007) and cancer-specific survival (P = 0.002). The underweight group had the lowest proportion of national health insurance but the highest rate of medical care (P = 0.012). CONCLUSION: The obese group had the fewest harvested lymph nodes, whereas the underweight group had the highest estimated blood loss, conversion rate to open approaches and the poorest overall and cancer-specific survivals.

Robotic Resection is a Good Prognostic Factor in Rectal Cancer Compared with Laparoscopic Resection: Long-term Survival Analysis Using Propensity Score Matching.

BACKGROUND: Robotic total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer has rapidly increased and has shown short-term outcomes comparable to conventional laparoscopic total mesorectal excision. However, data for long-term oncologic outcomes are limited. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate long-term oncologic outcomes of robotic total mesorectal excision compared with laparoscopic total mesorectal excision. DESIGN: This was a retrospective study. SETTINGS: This study was conducted in a tertiary referral hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 732 patients who underwent totally robotic (n = 272) and laparoscopic (n = 460) total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer were included in this study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We compared clinicopathologic outcomes of patients. In addition, short- and long-term outcomes and prognostic factors for survival were evaluated in the matched robotic and laparoscopic total mesorectal excision groups (224 matched pairs by propensity score). RESULTS: Before case matching, patients in the robotic group were younger, more likely to have undergone preoperative chemoradiation, and had a lower tumor location than those in the laparoscopic group. After case matching most clinicopathologic outcomes were similar between the groups, but operative time was longer and postoperative ileus was more frequent in the robotic group. In the matched patients excluding stage IV, the overall survival, cancer-specific survival, and disease-free survival were better in the robotic group, but did not reach statistical significance. The 5-year survival rates for robotic and laparoscopic total mesorectal excision were 90.5% and 78.0% for overall survival, 90.5% and 79.5% for cancer-specific survival, and 72.6% and 68.0% for disease-free survival. In multivariate analysis, robotic surgery was a significant prognostic factor for overall survival and cancer-specific survival (p = 0.0040, HR = 0.333; p = 0.0161, HR = 0.367). LIMITATIONS: This study has the potential for selection bias and limited generalizability. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer showed long-term survival comparable to laparoscopic total mesorectal excision in this study. Robotic surgery was a good prognostic factor for overall survival and cancer-specific survival, suggesting potential oncologic benefits.

Oncologic outcomes in rectal cancer patients with a ≤1-cm distal resection margin.

PURPOSE: Recently, common application of sphincter-saving resection in rectal cancer has led to acceptance of a 1-cm distal resection margin (DRM). The aim of this study was to evaluate oncologic outcomes of a DRM ≤1 cm in sphincter-saving resection for rectal cancer. The outcomes of a DRM ≤0.5 cm was also evaluated. METHODS: We reviewed prospectively collected data from 415 patients who underwent sphincter-saving resection for mid and low rectal cancer between September 2006 and December 2012 at Korea University Anam Hospital. Patients were divided into two groups according to DRM measured in a formalin fixed specimen: ≤1 cm (n = 132) and >1 cm (n = 283). The DRM ≤1 cm group was divided into two subgroups: ≤0.5 cm (n = 45) and >0.5, ≤1 cm (n = 87). RESULTS: Median follow-up periods were 47.2 months. The 5-year local recurrence rate was 8.8% in the DRM ≤1 cm group and 8.5% in the DRM >1 cm group (p = 0.630). The 5-year disease-free survival rate was 75.1 and 76.3% (p = 0.895), and the 5-year overall survival rate was 82.6 and 85.9% (p = 0.401), respectively. In subanalysis of the DRM ≤1 cm group, there was also no significant difference in the local recurrence and survival. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in local recurrence and survival based on DRM length. We found that DRM length less than 1 cm was not a prognostic factor for local recurrence or survival.

Mechanical Bowel Preparation Does Not Affect Clinical Severity of Anastomotic Leakage in Rectal Cancer Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Previous multicenter randomized trials demonstrated that omitting mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) did not increase anastomotic leakage rates or other infectious complications. However, the most serious concern regarding the omission of MBP is ongoing fecal peritonitis after anastomotic leakage occurs. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical manifestations and severity of anastomotic leakage between patients who underwent MBP and those who did not. METHODS: This study was a single-center retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database. From January 2006 to September 2013, 1369 patients who underwent elective rectal cancer resection with primary anastomosis were identified and analyzed. RESULTS: Anastomotic leakage rates were not significantly different between patients who did not undergo MBP (77/831, 9.27%) and those who did (42/538, 7.81%). However, a significantly lower rate of clinical leakage requiring surgical exploration was observed in the leakage without MBP group (30/77, 39.0%) compared with the leakage with MBP group (30/42, 71.4%) (P = 0.001). There were no significant differences in the clinical severity of anastomotic leakage as assessed by the length of hospital stay, time to resuming a normal diet, length of antibiotic use, ileus rate, transfusion rate, ICU admission rate, and mortality rate between the leakage without MBP and leakage with MBP groups. CONCLUSION: MBP was not found to affect the clinical severity of anastomotic leakage in elective rectal cancer surgery.

Anastomotic Leakage After Low Anterior Resection for Rectal Cancer Is Different Between Minimally Invasive Surgery and Open Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To review and compare clinical manifestations of and risk factors for anastomotic leakage (AL) after low anterior resection for rectal cancer between minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and open surgery (OS). BACKGROUND: MIS for rectal cancer has become popular, and its clinical course is different from OS. Many studies have reported on the risk factors and oncologic influence of AL. However, few have directly compared clinical manifestations and risk factors for AL between MIS and OS. METHODS: From January 2004 to December 2012, a total of 1704 consecutive patients who underwent elective low anterior resection with colorectal anastomosis for rectal cancer were eligible. The variables associated with short-term outcomes and risk factors were analyzed. RESULTS: The overall AL incidence was 6.4%. In the MIS-AL group, the time to diagnosis of AL and the time to second operation were shorter. A majority of the patients (77.8%) in the MIS-AL group underwent second MIS operation, whereas none in the OS-AL group. The hospital stays after second MIS were shorter than those after second open operation. Multivariate analyses revealed that male sex, smoking and alcohol intake history, previous abdominal surgery, longer operation times, low-lying tumor, and using 2 or more staplers for distal rectal resection were independent risk factors in the MIS-AL group, whereas smoking and alcohol intake history, operation times, and blood loss were significant in the OS-AL group. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical manifestations of and risk factors for AL were different between MIS and OS. AL after MIS may be more influenced by factors related to technical difficulties. Close attention should be given to patients undergoing surgery with risk factors for AL.

Short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for intestinal Behcet's disease: a comparative study with open surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical treatment of intestinal Behcet's disease (BD) is not well established. Specifically, it is still difficult to assess the clinical value of laparoscopic surgery to address this condition. We aimed to evaluate the clinical course and the characteristics of laparoscopic surgery for intestinal BD compared with open surgery. METHODS: We reviewed charts of 91 patients who underwent surgical treatment for intestinal BD between January 1995 and December 2012. We retrospectively compared the laparoscopic group (LG, n = 30) and the open group (OG, n = 61) in terms of patient demographics, clinical features, operative data, postoperative course, complications within 30 days after operation, and long-term follow-up data. RESULTS: There were more females in the LG than in the OG (63.3 vs. 36.1%, p = 0.014), and oral/genital ulcers were more frequent in the LG (76.7 vs. 54.1%, p = 0.038; 60 vs. 36.1%, p = 0.031). Intractability with medical treatment was dominant in the LG (76.7 vs. 45.9%, p = 0.02), while intestinal perforation or fistula were more prevalent in the OG (10 vs. 44.3%, p = 0.001). Most patients received an ileocecectomy or a right hemicolectomy as their first surgery. In the LG, the patients had a shorter operation time (162.0 vs. 228.5 min, p < 0.001) and had less blood loss (61.7 vs. 232.3 ml, p = 0.003). There were no significant differences in postoperative complications, reoperation, mortality, and hospital stay between the groups. During the follow-up period, the mean number of operations was less in the LG than in the OG (1.3 vs. 2.1, p = 0.011). Analysis indicated that 20% of patients in the LG and 50.8% in the OG underwent more than two operations (p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic surgery is feasible and safe for selected intestinal BD patients. However, there were no better short-term outcomes in LG compared with OG.

The Characteristics of Bone Metastasis in Patients with Colorectal Cancer: A Long-Term Report from a Single Institution.

BACKGROUND: Bone metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) is very rare, and data are extremely lacking. We aimed to evaluate the characteristics of bone metastasis in patients with CRC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a chart review of 63 patients (1.1 %) with bone metastasis among 5479 patients who underwent surgery for CRC. RESULTS: Most patients were stage 3 (17.5 %) or 4 (73.0 %), and 32 patients (50.8 %) were diagnosed with bone metastasis at initial diagnoses of CRC. Thirty-one patients developed bone metastasis during the follow-up period with median 10.1-month interval. PET-CT was most frequently used for the diagnosis of bone metastasis (71.4 %), and the spine was the most commonly involved site (77.8 %). Most patients had multiple bone metastases (73.0 %) and other metastases (87.3 %). Bone pain was the most common skeletal-related event (25.4 %), and patients were treated with radiation (25.4 %), surgery (14.3 %), or bisphosphonate (6.3 %). The median survival time was 17.8 months, and the 5-year survival rate was 5.7 %. In the multivariate analysis, the risk factors for survival included initial bone metastasis (hazard ratio [HR] 3.03; P < 0.001) and bone metastasis from colon cancer (HR 1.87; P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Bone metastasis in patients with CRC is extremely rare and shows poor prognosis.

Modified complete mesocolic excision with central vascular ligation for the treatment of right-sided colon cancer: long-term outcomes and prognostic factors.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the long-term oncologic outcomes and risk factors for adverse effects in right-sided colon cancer patients who underwent modified complete mesocolic excision (mCME). BACKGROUND: Complete mesocolic excision (CME) with central vascular ligation has recently been found to improve oncological outcomes in patients with colon cancer. Our institution has established mCME on the basis of the original concept of CME for the treatment of right-sided colon cancer. METHODS: Between January 2000 and July 2009, 773 patients who underwent mCME for right-sided colon cancer were eligible for this retrospective study. The prognostic factors for survival/recurrence and the risk factors for postoperative complications were investigated. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 61.9 ± 34.7 months. The 5-year overall survival and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 84.0% and 82.8%, respectively. Pathologic stage III disease, postoperative complications, age more than 60 years, and minimally invasive surgery were found to be independent prognostic factors. The 5-year locoregional recurrence (LRR) and 5-year systemic recurrence rates (SRRs) were 4.9% and 13.7%, respectively. The risk of LRR and SRR increased with pathologic stage III disease. An American Society of Anesthesiology score of higher than II was an independent predictive factor of postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: We have successfully established the mCME technique, on the basis of the same principle as CME, but with a more tailored approach. The long-term oncologic outcomes and risk of postoperative morbidity were found to be comparable with those seen with the original CME procedure.

Long-term oncologic outcomes of robotic low anterior resection for rectal cancer: a comparative study with laparoscopic surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate long-term oncologic outcomes of robotic surgery for rectal cancer compared with laparoscopic surgery at a single institution. BACKGROUND: Robotic surgery is regarded as a new modality to surpass the technical limitations of conventional surgery. Short-term outcomes of robotic surgery for rectal cancer were acceptable in previous reports. However, evidence of long-term feasibility and oncologic safety is required. METHODS: Between April 2006 and August 2011, 217 patients who underwent minimally invasive surgery for rectal cancer with stage I-III disease were enrolled prospectively (robot, n = 133; laparoscopy, n = 84). Median follow-up period was 58 months (range, 4-80 months). Perioperative clinicopathologic outcomes, morbidities, 5-year survival rates, prognostic factors, and cost were evaluated. RESULTS: Perioperative clinicopathologic outcomes demonstrated no significant differences except for the conversion rate and length of hospital stay. The 5-year overall survival rate was 92.8% in robotic, and 93.5% in laparoscopic surgical procedures (P = 0.829). The 5-year disease-free survival rate was 81.9% and 78.7%, respectively (P = 0.547). Local recurrence was similar: 2.3% and 1.2% (P = 0.649). According to the univariate analysis, this type of surgical approach was not a prognostic factor for long-term survival. The patient's mean payment for robotic surgery was approximately 2.34 times higher than laparoscopic surgery. CONCLUSIONS: No significant differences were found in the 5-year overall, disease-free survival and local recurrence rates between robotic and laparoscopic surgical procedures. We concluded that robotic surgery for rectal cancer failed to offer any oncologic or clinical benefits as compared with laparoscopy despite an increased cost.

Oncologic outcomes of single-incision versus conventional laparoscopic anterior resection for sigmoid colon cancer: a propensity-score matching analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate oncologic outcomes, as well as perioperative and pathologic outcomes, of single-incision laparoscopic anterior resection (SILAR) compared with conventional laparoscopic anterior resection (CLAR) for sigmoid colon cancer using propensity-score matching analysis. METHODS: From July 2009 through April 2012, a total of 407 patients underwent laparoscopic anterior resection for sigmoid colon cancer. Data on short- and long-term outcomes were collected prospectively and reviewed. Propensity-score matching was applied at a ratio of 1:2 comparing the SILAR (n = 60) and CLAR (n = 120) groups. RESULTS: There was no difference in operation time, estimated blood loss, time to soft diet, and length of hospital stay; however, the SILAR group showed less pain on postoperative day 2 (mean 2.6 vs. 3.6; p = 0.000) and shorter length of incision (3.3 vs. 7.7 cm; p = 0.000) compared with the CLAR group. Morbidity, mortality, and pathologic outcomes were similar in both groups. The 3-year overall survival rates were 94.5 versus 97.1% (p = 0.223), and disease-free survival rates were 89.5 versus 87.4% (p = 0.751) in the SILAR and CLAR groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: The long-term oncologic outcomes, as well as short-term outcomes, of SILAR are comparable with those of CLAR. Although SILAR might have some technical difficulties, it appears to be a safe and feasible option, with better cosmetic results.

Clinical implications from a single-center study of colorectal adenocarcinoma in transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: With the increasing burden of organ transplant recipients and improvements in allograft outcome, the incidence of neoplasms rising from these patients is an important issue. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we investigated transplant recipients with colorectal cancer to determine its incidence, clinicopathological characteristics, and prognosis. METHODS: The database of Severance Hospital was queried for all cases of colorectal adenocarcinoma among transplant recipients from August 2005 to January 2013. RESULTS: A total of 29 patients were diagnosed with colorectal adenocarcinoma after transplantation, and the median age at diagnosis was 58.6 years. As for primary tumor stage, 17 (58.6%) patients had stage ≥3, and distant metastasis was found in 10 (34.4%) patients. The mean time from transplantation to tumor detection was 13.7 years. The median disease-free survival was 11.0 months and the median overall survival (OS) was 18.1 months. In multivariate analysis of prognostic factors for OS, surgical resection was a positive prognostic factor (HR 1.357, p = 0.010) and the presence of distant metastasis at diagnosis was a negative prognostic factor (HR 1.047, p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: The behavior of colorectal cancer in posttransplant patients is more aggressive and refractory to treatment. A separate guideline for the colorectal screening program for the posttransplant patients needs to be established.