Surgical and pathological outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for transverse colon cancer

Usefulness of the endoscopic surgical skill qualification system for laparoscopic colectomy for transverse colon cancer: a Japanese multicenter analysis

PURPOSE

Laparoscopic colectomy for transverse colon cancer (TCC) can be technically demanding due to the anatomical complexity of the region. In Japan, the Endoscopic Surgical Skill Qualification System (ESSQS) was established to improve the skill of laparoscopic surgeons and further develop surgical teams. We examined the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic colectomy for TCC and evaluated the effects of the Japanese ESSQS in facilitating this approach.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 136 patients who underwent laparoscopic colectomy for TCC between April 2016 and December 2021. Patients were divided into an ESSQS-qualified surgeon group (surgery performed by an ESSQS-qualified surgeon, n = 52) and a non ESSQS-qualified surgeon (surgery performed by a non ESSQS-unqualified surgeon, n = 84). Clinicopathological and surgical features were compared between groups.

RESULTS

Postoperative complications occurred in 37 patients (27.2%). The proportion of patients who developed postoperative complications was lower in the ESSQS-qualified surgeon group (8.0%) than that in the non ESSQS-qualified surgeon group (34.5%; p < 0.017). Multivariate analysis revealed "Operation by ESSQS-qualified surgeon surgeon" (odds ratio (OR) 0.360, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.140-0.924; p = 0.033), blood loss (OR 4.146, 95% CI 1.688-10.184; p = 0.002), and clinical N status (OR 4.563, 95% CI 1.814-11.474; p = 0.001) as factors independently associated with postoperative complications.

CONCLUSION

The present multicenter study confirmed the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic colectomy for TCC and revealed that ESSQS-qualified surgeon achieved better surgical outcomes.

Lymph Node Mapping in Transverse Colon Cancer Treated Using Laparoscopic Colectomy With D3 Lymph Node Dissection

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic surgery for transverse colon cancer has been excluded from 7 randomized trials for various reasons. The optimal procedure for transverse colon cancer remains controversial.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to analyze the patterns of lymph node metastasis in transverse colon cancer and to report short- and long-term outcomes of the treatment procedures.

DESIGN

This was a single-center retrospective study.

SETTINGS

This study was conducted at Cancer Institute Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.

PATIENTS

We enrolled 252 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for transverse colon cancer.

INTERVENTIONS

The transverse colon was divided into 3 segments, and the procedures for transverse colon cancer were based on these segments, as follows: right hemicolectomy, transverse colectomy, and left hemicolectomy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Postoperatively, the surgeons identified and mapped the lymph nodes from specimens and performed formalin fixation separately to compare the results of the pathological findings.

RESULTS

For right-sided, middle-segment, and left-sided transverse colon cancers, the frequency of lymph node metastases was 28.2%, 19.2%, and 19.2%. Skipped lymph node metastasis occurred in right-sided and left-sided transverse colon cancers but not in middle-segment transverse colon cancers. The pathological vascular invasion rate was significantly higher in right and left hemicolectomy than in transverse colectomy. For right hemicolectomy, transverse colectomy, and left hemicolectomy, 5-year overall survival rates were 96.3%, 92.7%, and 93.7%, and relapse-free survival rates were 92.4%, 88.3%, and 95.5%. In multivariate analysis, the independent risk factor for relapse-free survival was lymph node metastasis.

LIMITATIONS

Selection bias and different backgrounds may have influenced surgical and long-term outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic surgery for transverse colon cancer may be a feasible technique. Harvested lymph node mapping after laparoscopic resection based on D3 lymphadenectomy may help guide the field of dissection when managing patients who have transverse colon cancer. The only independent prognostic factor for relapse-free survival was node-positive cancer. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B706.MAPEO DE GANGLIOS LINFÁTICOS EN CÁNCER DE COLON TRANSVERSO TRATADO MEDIANTE COLECTOMÍA LAPAROSCÓPICA CON LINFADENECTOMÍA D3ANTECEDENTES:La cirugía laparoscópica en casos de cáncer de colon transverso fué excluida de siete estudios randomizados mayores por diversas razones. El procedimiento más idóneo en casos de cáncer de colon transverso, sigue siendo controvertido.OBJETIVO:Analizar los patrones de las metástasis en los ganglios linfáticos en casos de cáncer de colon transverso y reportar los resultados a corto y largo plazo de los diferentes procedimientos para su tratamiento.DISEÑO:Estudio retrospectivo en un solo centro de referencia.AJUSTE:Estudio llevado a cabo en el Hospital del Instituto del Cancer, Tokio, Japón.PACIENTES:Fueron incluidos 252 pacientes, sometidos a cirugía laparoscópica por cáncer de colon transverso.INTERVENCIONES:El colon transverso fué dividido en tres segmentos y los procedimientos en casos de cáncer se basaron sobre estos segmentos del tranverso, de la siguiente manera: hemicolectomía derecha, colectomía transversa y hemicolectomía izquierda.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO:En el postoperatorio, los cirujanos identificaron y mapearon los ganglios linfáticos de las piezas quirúrgicas y las fijaron con formaldehido por separado para así poder comparar los resultados con los hallazgos histopatológicos.RESULTADOS:En los cánceres de colon transverso del segmento derecho, del segmento medio y del segmento izquierdo, la frecuencia de metástasis en los ganglios linfáticos fue del 28,2%, 19,2% y 19,2%, respectivamente. Las metástasis en los ganglios linfáticos omitidos se produjo en los cánceres de colon transverso del lado derecho y del lado izquierdo, pero no en los cánceres de colon transverso del segmento medio. La tasa de invasión vascular patológica fue significativamente mayor en la hemicolectomía derecha e izquierda que en la colectomía transversa. Para la hemicolectomía derecha, colectomía transversa y hemicolectomía izquierda, las tasas de supervivencia general a cinco años fueron del 96,3%, 92,7% y 93,7%, y las tasas de supervivencia sin recaída fueron del 92,4%, 88,3% y 95,5%, respectivamente. En el análisis multivariado, el factor de riesgo independiente para la sobrevida sin recidiva fue la metástasis en los ganglios linfáticos.LIMITACIONES:El sesgo de selección y los diferentes antecedentes pueden haber influido en los resultados quirúrgicos a largo plazo.CONCLUSIONES:La cirugía laparoscópica en casos de cáncer de colon transverso puede ser una técnica factible. El mapeo de los ganglios linfáticos recolectados después de la resección laparoscópica basada en la linfadenectomía D3 puede ayudar a guiar el campo de la disección en el manejo de pacientes con cáncer de colon transverso. El único factor pronóstico independiente para el SLR fue el cáncer con ganglios positivos. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B706. (Traducción-Dr. Xavier Delgadillo).

Laparoscopic and open surgery in patients with transverse colon cancer: short-term and oncological outcomes

BACKGROUND

Studies evaluating the outcomes after laparoscopic resections of transverse colon cancers are scant. This manuscript aimed to compare surgical and oncological outcomes after laparoscopic (Lap) and open procedures for transverse colon carcinomas.

METHODS

All consecutive patients who underwent resection for a cancer located in the transverse colon between 2003 and 2019 were reviewed. Patients were categorized according to the surgical approach (Lap versus open) and groups were compared. Outcome measures were the short-term results, complications and functional recovery; moreover, recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were compared overall and after propensity score matching (PSM) based on age, sex, ASA classification, BMI, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level, use of postoperative chemotherapy, location of tumour, stage and grading, operation time, blood loss and complications.

RESULTS

Of 248 transverse resections reviewed, 146 (81 Lap and 65 open) were selected for data analysis. Blood loss, fluid intake and the incidence of wound infection were significantly lower and the hospital stay was significantly shorter in the Lap group (P < 0.001). The operation time and incidence of complications (Clavien-Dindo classification grade 3 or above) did not differ significantly between the two groups. Mean follow-up was of 75.4 months in the Lap group and 78.6 months in the open group. Regression analyses showed that OS was associated with the postoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level (hazard ratio 1.18 (95 per cent c.i. 1.10 to 1.27); P < 0.001), BMI (hazard ratio 0.81 (95 per cent c.i. 0.68 to 0.96); P = 0.017), operation time (hazard ratio 0.99 (95 per cent c.i. 0.97 to 1.00; P = 0.010), and postoperative chemotherapy (hazard ratio 0.27 (95 per cent c.i. 0.08 to 0.96); P = 0.042), while RFS was associated with the postoperative CEA level (hazard ratio 1.13 (95 per cent c.i. 1.07 to 1.20); P < 0.001). PSM selected 42 patients for data comparison of long-term results, and showed no significant differences between groups (RFS: P = 0.530; OS: P = 0.561).

CONCLUSION

Lap and open resections for transverse colon cancer provided similar outcomes in terms of severe post-operative complication and long-term results.

What is the best surgical procedure of transverse colon cancer? An evidence map and minireview

Colorectal cancers comprise a large percentage of tumors worldwide, and transverse colon cancer (TCC) is defined as tumors located between hepatic and splenic flexures. Due to the anatomy and embryology complexity, and lack of large randomized controlled trials, it is a challenge to standardize TCC surgery. In this study, the current situation of transverse/extended colectomy, robotic/ laparoscopic/open surgery and complete mesocolic excision (CME) concept in TCC operations is discussed and a heatmap is conducted to show the evidence level and gap. In summary, transverse colectomy challenges the dogma of traditional extended colectomy, with similar oncological and prognostic outcomes. Compared with conventional open resection, laparoscopic and robotic surgery plays a more important role in both transverse colectomy and extended colectomy. The CME concept may contribute to the radical resection of TCC and adequate harvested lymph nodes. According to published studies, laparoscopic or robotic transverse colectomy based on the CME concept was the appropriate surgical procedure for TCC patients.

Evaluating the Learning Curve Associated with Laparoscopic Left Hemicolectomy for Colon Cancer

The role of laparoscopic surgery for transverse and descending colon cancer remains controversial. The aim of the present study was to characterize the learning curve for laparoscopic left hemicolectomy including the splenic flexure and to identify factors that influence this learning curve. Data from 120 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic left hemicolectomy for transverse and descending colon cancer including the splenic flexure between December 1996 and December 2009 were analyzed. Patients undergoing resection combined with cholecystectomy, hepatectomy, hysterectomy, or gastrectomy were excluded. Operative time was analyzed using the moving average method. The operative time, conversion rate, and postoperative complication rate were evaluated among four groups based on the number of cases required for analysis of operative time. In addition, risk factors that influenced conversion to open surgery were analyzed. Operative time for left hemicolectomy decreased with increasing case number with stabilization at 30 cases. There was no significant difference in the conversion rate or postoperative complications over time. Significant factors for conversion to open surgery were T stage (odds ratio [OR], 5.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5 to 27.4) and previous abdominal surgery (OR, 5.38; 95% CI, 1.6 to 20.2). The learning curve for laparoscopic left hemicolectomy is steep. Thus, surgeons in the early part of this curve should carefully select patients to allow them to build experience in a stepwise manner. Laparoscopic surgery may become the gold standard for management of colon cancer regardless of stage or tumor location.

Mid-transverse colon cancer and extended versus transverse colectomy: Results of the Italian society of surgical oncology colorectal cancer network (SICO CCN) multicenter collaborative study

INTRODUCTION

Transverse colon cancer (TCC) is poorly studied, and TCC cases are often excluded from large prospective randomized trials because of their complexity and their potentially high complication rate. The best surgical approach for TCC has yet to be established. The aim of this large retrospective multicenter Italian series is to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of both hemicolectomy and transverse colectomy in order to identify the best surgical approach.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with mid-transverse colon cancer treated with a segmental colon resection or an extended hemicolectomy (right or left) between 2006 and 2016 in 28 high-volume (more than 70 procedures/year) Italian referral centers for colorectal surgery.

RESULTS

The study included 1529 patients, 388 of whom underwent a segmental resection while 1141 underwent an extended resection. A higher number of complications has been reported in the segmental group than in the extended group (30.1% versus 23.6%; p 0.010). In 42 cases the main complication was the anastomotic leak (4.4% versus 2.2%; p 0.020). Recovery outcomes also showed statistical differences: time to first flatus (p 0.014), time to first mobilization (p 0.040), and overall hospital stay (p < 0.001) were significantly shorter in the extended group. Even if overall survival were similar between the groups (95.1% versus 97%; p 0.384), 3-year disease-free survival worsened after segmental resection (78.1% versus 86.2%; p 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

According to our results, an extended right colon resection for TCC seems to be surgically safer and more oncologically valid.

Randomized controlled trial to evaluate laparoscopic versus open surgery in transverse and descending colon cancer patients

BACKGROUND

The safety and efficacy of laparoscopic surgery for transverse and descending colon cancer remain controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the short- and long-term outcomes of this procedure.

METHODS

We conducted a single-institutional randomized controlled trial. Patients with transverse or descending colon cancer were randomly allocated to receive laparoscopic surgery (LAC) or conventional open surgery (OC). The primary endpoint was the overall complication rate between the two groups. The secondary endpoints were the length of the postoperative hospital stay, the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) score (at 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery), the 5-year relapse-free survival (RFS), and the 5-year overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

Between August 2008 and October 2012, a total of 66 patients were enrolled (33 in the LAC group and 33 in the OC group). The patient characteristics showed no significant differences between the two groups. The complication rates (≥ grade 3) were 6.1% in the LAC group and 12.1% in the OC group (p = 0.392). The length of postoperative stay was not significantly different between the two groups. Regarding the HRQOL, the physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain, social functioning, mental health, and role component summary at 1 month after surgery and the social functioning and mental health at 6 months after surgery were better in the LAC group than in the OC group. The 5-year RFS and OS rates were similar between the LAC and OC groups (RFS 90.5% and 87.3%, respectively, p = 0.752; OS 93.3% and 100.0%, respectively, p = 0.543).

CONCLUSIONS

The short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for transverse and descending colon cancer are almost equal to those of open surgery. Laparoscopic resection is a better choice than open surgery for managing this cancer with regard to the short- and mid-term QOL.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01861691 .

Short- and long-term outcomes after transverse versus extended colectomy for transverse colon cancer. A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Provide the surgeon with a tool to decide the best surgical approach to transverse colon cancer.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the surgical and oncological outcomes between transverse colectomy and extended hemicolectomy for patients with tumours of the transverse colon.

DATA SOURCES

A systematic search was performed in the electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE), using the following search terms and/or MeSH terms in all possible combinations: transverse, transversus, colectomy, hemicolectomy, segmental resection, transverse colon cancer. The last search was performed on 10 May 2018.

STUDY SELECTION

Two independent authors (Mi.M. and N.V.) analysed each article and performed the data extraction independently. In case of disagreement, a third investigator was consulted (Ma.M.). Discrepancies were resolved by consensus.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Data regarding sample size, major clinical and demographic variables, oncologic outcomes and postoperative recovery and complications were extracted.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Main outcomes analysed were anastomotic leakage, early mortality, hospital stay, operative time, overall complications rate, wound infection, harvested nodes and disease-free survival.

RESULTS

No statistical differences were found between transverse colectomy and extended hemicolectomy in short- and long-term outcomes; our results revealed no differences in disease-free survival between the two surgical approaches. As expected, a statistically significant difference was found in favour of extended hemicolectomy in terms of number of harvested lymph nodes.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review with meta-analysis focus on the two major approaches to transverse colon cancer. The reviewed evidence suggests that a conservative approach to transverse colon cancer is feasible and safe and oncological outcomes are comparable between a conservative and an extended surgical procedure.

A Transverse Colectomy is as Safe as an Extended Right or Left Colectomy for Mid-Transverse Colon Cancer

BACKGROUND

Although extended colectomy is often chosen for patients with transverse colon cancer, the optimal surgical approach for mid-transverse colon cancer has not been established.

METHODS

We identified patients who underwent a transverse (TC) or an extended colectomy (EC) for mid-transverse colon cancer between 2004 and 2014. To adjust for potential selection bias between the groups, a propensity score matching analysis was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 103 patients were included, of whom 63% underwent EC (right 47%, left 17%) and 37% TC. EC patients tend to have worse short-term outcomes. Although fewer lymph nodes were harvested after TC, 5-year overall (OS) ad disease-free survival (DFS) was comparable between the groups. When comparing long-term outcomes stage-by-stage, worse OS and DFS were seen in stage-II. All stage-II patients died of a non-cancer-related cause and recurrence occurred in pT4 TC patients who did not receive adjuvant therapy. The propensity-matched cohort demonstrated similar postoperative morbidity, but more laparoscopic procedures in EC. Additionally, TC tumors were correlated with poorer histopathological features and disease recurrence was only seen after TC.

CONCLUSION

Our study underlines the oncological safety of a transverse colectomy for mid-transverse colon cancer. Although TC tumors were associated with poorer histopathological features, survival rates were comparable.

Whether partial colectomy is oncologically safe for patients with transverse colon cancer: a large population-based study

Due to special tumor location and technical difficulty of transverse colon cancer (TCC), partial colectomy (PC) is being widely applied in selected TCC patients, instead of extended hemicolectomy (HC). However, the oncological safety of this less aggressive surgical approach is not well studied. Here, we identified 10344 TCC patients from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End-Results (SEER) database. The surgical treatment for those patients included PC and HC. Firstly, we compared lymph nodes evaluations between patients treated with HC and PC, including median number of nodes, the rate of nodes ≥ 12 and the rate of node positivity. Then, 5-year cancer specific survival (CSS) was obtained. Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox regression models were performed to assess the correlations between prognostic factors and long-term survival. Despite of less node examined by PC, the rate of node positivity was equal between PC and HC, suggesting node retrieval under PC was adequate to tumor stage. In addition, the 5-year CSS for patients who underwent PC were 67.5%, which was similar to patients who received HC (66.5%). The result after propensity score matching also confirmed the equivalent survival outcome between HC and PC. However, subgroup analyses showed that patients with tumor size ≥ 5 cm could not obtain survival benefit from PC. Furthermore, surgical approach was not considered as independent prognostic factor for TCC patients. Therefore, although PC is a less aggressive surgical approach, it should be a safe and feasible option for selected TCC patients.

Operative Method for Transverse Colon Carcinoma: Transverse Colectomy Versus Extended Colectomy

BACKGROUND

The type of surgery performed for primary transverse colon cancer varies based on tumor characteristics and surgeon perspective. The optimal oncological outcome following different surgical options has not been clearly established, and transverse colectomy has shown oncological equivalence only in small cohort studies.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to compare long-term oncological outcomes after transverse colectomy versus extended resection for transverse colon cancer.

DESIGN

This study is a retrospective review of prospectively collected data.

SETTING

This study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital.

METHOD

All patients treated for transverse colon cancer at the Samsung Medical Center between 1995 and 2013 were included.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Oncological outcomes were compared between 2 groups of patients: a transverse colectomy group and an extended colectomy group (which included extended right hemicolectomy and left hemicolectomy).

RESULTS

A total of 1066 patients were included, of whom 750 (70.4%) underwent extended right hemicolectomy, 127 (11.9%) underwent transverse colectomy, and 189 (17.7%) underwent left hemicolectomy. According to univariate analysis, surgical approach, histological type, tumor morphology, cancer T and N stage, cancer size, and lymphovascular invasion were significant factors contributing to disease-free survival (DFS). However, as seen in multivariate analysis, only node-positive disease (HR = 2.035 (1.188-3.484)), tumors with ulcerative morphology (HR = 3.643 (1.132-11.725)), and the presence of vascular invasion (HR = 2.569 (1.455-4.538)) were significant factors for DFS. Further analysis with a propensity-matched cohort between the transverse and extended colectomy groups demonstrated no significant differences in DFS and overall survival.

LIMITATIONS

This study was limited because it was performed at a single institution and it was retrospective in nature.

CONCLUSION

In terms of perioperative and oncological outcomes, transverse colectomy and extended colectomy did not differ despite a shorter specimen length and fewer lymph nodes harvested in the transverse colectomy group. Independent prognostic factors for DFS were node-positive disease, the presence of vascular invasion, and ulcerative morphology.

The variations of the middle colic vein tributaries: depiction by three-dimensional CT angiography

OBJECTIVE

Laparoscopic transverse colectomy is challenging owing to technical difficulties in identifying an adequate dissection plane, ligating and dissecting lymph nodes around the middle colic vessels. One of the reasons for the technical difficulties is the complex relationship between the middle colic vein (MCV) and its tributary. So, defining the venous anatomy around the MCV before laparoscopic surgery seems important to avoid massive bleeding. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the depiction rate and variation of the MCV and its tributaries on three-dimensional CT angiography (3DCTA).

METHODS

This study included 331 patients (203 males and 128 females) scheduled for laparoscopic surgery between June 2010 and April 2012. Most of the patients had gastric or colorectal cancer. Patients who needed emergency surgeries for obstruction or perforation were excluded. 3DCTA with an i.v. contrast medium was performed immediately following the administration of effervescent granules or room air insufflation. We assessed variations of the MCV tributaries using transaxial, multiplanar reconstructed images and volume-rendering images.

RESULTS

The MCV could be identified in all patients. The MCVs drained into the superior mesenteric vein in 62.5% of patients, gastrocolic trunk of Henle in 29.3% of patients, inferior mesenteric vein in 4.8% of patients, splenic vein in 2.7% of patients and jejunal vein in 0.6% of patients.

CONCLUSION

3DCTA is useful in evaluating the anatomic variants of the MCV in pre-operative planning for laparoscopic surgery.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

Use of 3DCTA for the recognition of the anatomic complexity around the MCV and its tributary plays an important role in pre-operative planning for optimal patient outcome.

Laparoscopic Surgery for Transverse Colon Cancer: Short- and Long-Term Outcomes in Comparison with Conventional Open Surgery

BACKGROUND

Published studies on laparoscopic surgery for transverse colon cancer are scarce. More studies are necessary to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and long-term oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for transverse colon cancer.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

From April 1996 to December 2010, 102 consecutive patients with stage II or III disease who had undergone curative resection for transverse colon cancer were enrolled. Seventy-nine patients underwent laparoscopy-assisted colectomy (LAC), whereas 23 patients underwent conventional open colectomy (OC). Short- and long-term outcomes of the two groups were compared.

RESULTS

The OC group had a larger tumor size (7.6 ± 3.4 cm versus 5.2 ± 2.3 cm, P = .004) and more retrieved lymph nodes (26.4 ± 11.6 versus 17.5 ± 9.4, P = .002), without differences in resection margins. In the LAC group, return to diet was faster (4.5 ± 1.2 days versus 5.4 ± 1.8 days, P = .013), and postoperative hospital stay was shorter (12.1 ± 4.2 days versus 15.9 ± 4.8 days, P = .000). There were no differences in occurrence of intra- or postoperative complications. There were no statistically significant differences in overall survival rate (OS) or disease-free survival rate (DFS) between the two groups (5-year OS, 90.4% versus 90.5%, P = .670; 5-year DFS, 84.2% versus 90.7%, P = .463).

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic surgery for transverse colon cancer has better short-term outcomes compared with open surgery, with acceptable long-term outcomes. As in colorectal cancer of other sites, laparoscopic surgery can be a feasible alternative to conventional surgery for transverse colon cancer.

Initial experience of robotic versus laparoscopic colectomy for transverse colon cancer: a matched case-control study

Background

Robotic surgery for transverse colon cancer has rarely been described. This study reports our initial experience in robotic resection for transverse colon cancer, by comparing robotic transverse colectomy (RC) to laparoscopic transverse colectomy (LC) in terms of safety, feasibility, short-term outcomes, and the surgeon’s psychological stress and physical pain.

Methods

The study population included the first 22 consecutive patients who underwent RC between March 2013 and December 2014 for histologically confirmed transverse colon adenocarcinoma. These patients were compared with 22 matched patients undergoing LC between December 2010 and February 2013. Patients were matched based on age, gender, body mass index (BMI), American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) score, American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) tumor stage, and tumor location (ratio 1:1). Mortality, morbidity, operative, and short-term oncologic outcomes were compared between groups. The operating surgeon’s stress and pain were assessed before and after surgery on a 0–100-mm visual analog scale.

Results

The demographic and preoperative characteristics were comparable between RC and LC patients. No group difference was observed for intraoperative complications, blood loss, postoperative pain, time to flatus, time to regular diet, and hospital stay. RC was associated with longer operative time than LC (260 min vs. 225 min; p = 0.014), but the overall operative and robotic time in the RC group decreased over time reflecting the increasing experience in performing this procedure. No conversion to laparotomy was observed in the RC group, while two LC patients were converted due to uncontrolled bleeding and technically difficult middle colic pedicle dissection. Postoperative complications (Dindo-Clavien grade I or II) occurred in 11.3 % of patients with no group difference. Mortality was nil. All resections were R0, with >12 lymph nodes harvested in 90.9 % of RC and 95.5 % of LC patients. The surgeon’s stress was not different between RC and LC, whereas the surgeon’s hand and neck/shoulder pain were significantly lower after RC.

Conclusions

RC for transverse colon cancer appears to be safe and feasible with short-term outcomes comparable to LC.

Outcome of Laparoscopic Versus Open Resection for Transverse Colon Cancer

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic resection for transverse colon cancer remains controversial. The aim of this study is to investigate the short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for transverse colon cancer.

METHODS

A total of 278 patients with transverse colon cancer from a single institution were included. All patients underwent curative surgery, 156 patients underwent laparoscopic resection (LR), and 122 patients underwent open resection (OR). The short- and long-term results were compared between two groups.

RESULTS

Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were comparable between two groups. Conversions were required in eight (5.1 %) patients. LR group was associated with significantly longer median operating time (180 vs. 140 min; P < 0.001). Median estimated blood loss was significantly less in LR group (90 vs. 100 ml; P = 0.001). Time to first flatus and oral intake was significantly earlier in LR group. Perioperative mortality and morbidity rate were not significantly different between two groups. Tumor size, number of lymph nodes harvested, length of proximal, and distal resection margin were comparable between two groups. Postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter in LR group (9 vs. 10d; P < 0.001). Five-year disease-free survival and overall survival rate were similar between two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic resection for transverse colon cancer is associated with better short-term outcomes and equivalent long-term oncologic outcomes.

Laparoscopic colectomy for transverse colon cancer: comparative analysis of short- and long-term outcomes

This study evaluated the short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic colectomy compared with open colectomy for patients with transverse colon cancer by matched-pair analysis. This study enrolled 59 patients who underwent laparoscopic colectomy and compared them with 59 matched patients who underwent open colectomy for transverse colon cancer. The following parameters were matched: clinical stage and type of resection. Both short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic colectomy were compared with those of open colectomy. No difference was observed between the two groups in terms of age, gender, ASA score, comorbidity, clinical stage and operative procedures. Regarding short-term outcomes, blood loss, time to first flatus, time to liquid diet and postoperative stay were significantly shorter in the laparoscopy group than in the open group, while operation time was significantly longer in the laparoscopy group than in the open group. Postoperative complication was similar between the two groups. With respect to long-term outcomes, the two groups did not differ significantly in terms of 5-year overall and disease-free survival. In summary, laparoscopic colectomy is a safe and feasible option for selected patients with transverse colon cancer. The short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic colectomy are considered to be acceptable.

Comparison of long-term follow up of laparoscopic versus open colectomy for transverse colon cancer

Clinical Outcomes of Surgical Therapy (COST) was a landmark study demonstrating that laparoscopic-assisted colectomy had oncologic outcomes similar to those of open colectomy for colon cancer, but transverse colon cancers (TCCs) were excluded from that study. Oncologic results of a laparoscopic resection for TCC are unknown. This single-institution retrospective 3:1 case-matched review examined patients treated for TCC from January 1, 1996, to April 15, 2009. Laparoscopic colectomy (LC) and open colectomy (OC; extended right, extended left, and total abdominal) cases completed for Stage I to III adenocarcinoma of the transverse colon (hepatic flexure, transverse colon, and splenic flexure) were analyzed. Patients were matched for age, tumor location, and stage. Primary endpoints were overall survival and disease-free survival. Secondary endpoints were length of stay and pathologic parameters. One hundred and twenty-three OC cases were matched with 41 LC cases. There were four conversions (9.7%) in the LC group. Length of stay was reduced by 28% in the LC group (P = 0.02). Complication rate and severity were similar between the two groups (29% vs 24%; P = 0.68). Lymph node harvest was higher in the LC group than in the OC group (23.3 vs 18.6; P = 0.03). All pathologic margins were clear, and no local recurrence was found in either group. Five-year overall survival (61% vs 59%; P = 0.39) and disease-free survival (88% vs 82%; P = 0.23) were similar in the two groups. Short-term recovery was faster and lymph node harvest was improved in the LC group. Thus, laparoscopic management of TCC is a safe and feasible procedure.

Laparoscopic versus open resection for transverse colon cancer

BACKGROUND

Previous large randomized controlled trials comparing laparoscopic (LR) and open resection (OR) for colon cancer have not specifically analyzed the outcomes in patients with transverse colon cancer. The aims of this study were to evaluate the feasibility and safety of LR transverse colon cancer resection and to compare our findings with the results available in the literature.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients undergoing LR or OR for histologically proven adenocarcinoma of the transverse colon.

RESULTS

A total of 123 patients were included in this study: 66 LR and 57 OR. Median operating time was similar in the two groups. Median blood loss was higher in the OR group, even though the difference was not statistically significant. The rate of conversion from LR to OR was 16.7 %. Return of bowel function occurred significantly earlier in the LR group. The incidence and severity of 30-day postoperative complications and mortality rates were similar in the two groups. The median hospital stay was significantly shorter in the LR group. There was a trend toward a greater number of lymph nodes harvested in the OR group than in the LR group, although the difference was not statistically significant. The time to first flatus and bowel movement was significantly earlier in the LR group. Five-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates were similar in the LR and OR groups (86.4 vs. 88.6 %, p = 0.770 and 80.4 vs. 77.3 %, p = 0.516, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

LR of transverse colon cancer is feasible and safe, with similar early short-term outcomes when compared to OR. Larger prospective comparative studies with long-term follow-up are needed to assess the oncological equivalence of the two approaches.

Long-term outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for advanced transverse colon cancer

BACKGROUND

The role of laparoscopic surgery for advanced transverse colon cancer (TCC) remains controversial, especially in terms of long-term oncologic outcomes.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study enrolled 157 consecutive patients who underwent curable resections for advanced TCC between January 2002 and June 2011 (laparoscopic-assisted colectomy (LAC), n = 74; open colectomy (OC), n = 83). Short-term outcomes and oncologic long-term outcomes were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Compared to the OC group, patients in the LAC group had less blood loss (LAC vs. OC, 79.6 ± 70.3 vs. 158.4 ± 89.3 ml, p < 0.001), faster return of bowel function (2.6 ± 0.7 vs. 3.8 ± 0.8 days, p < 0.001), and shorter postoperative hospital stay (10.3 ± 3.7 vs. 12.6 ± 6.0 days, p = 0.007). Conversions were required in four (5.4%) patients. Rates of short-term complication, mortality, and long-term complication were comparable between the two groups. The median follow-up time was 54 (26-106) months in the LAC group and 58 (29-113) months in the OC group (p = 0.407). There were no statistical differences in the rates of 5-year overall survival (73.6 vs. 71.1%, p = 0.397) and 5-year disease-free survival (70.5 vs. 66.7%, p = 0.501) between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic surgery for advanced TCC yield short-term benefits while achieving equivalent long-term oncologic outcomes.

Short- and long-term results of laparoscopic surgery for transverse colon cancer

PURPOSES

We investigated the feasibility of laparoscopic surgery for transverse colon cancer (TCC) by examining the results of this procedure, and comparing the short- and long-term outcomes with those for right-sided and sigmoid colon cancer (OSCC).

METHODS

The subjects consisted of 117 patients with TCC. Their complications, forms of recurrence and disease-free and 5-year survival rates were compared to those of 564 patients with OSCC.

RESULTS

There were no significant between-group differences in the patient background. The average length of the operation in the TCC group was 215 min and that in the OSCC group was 184 min (p < 0.05). There were also no significant between-group differences in the average blood loss, which was 83.9 and 70.5 g, respectively. No significant difference was observed between groups by stage in terms of the disease-free survival rates, which were 94.4 and 79.1 % for stage II and III in the TCC group, and 92.4 and 78.8 % for stage II and III in the OSCC group. The incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications was low, and the five-year survival rate was favorable. As favorable results of laparoscopic colectomy (LAC) for TCC were also obtained at other sites in a multicenter randomized controlled trial, LAC is expected to become a standard therapy for TCC.

Laparoscopic colectomy for transverse colon carcinoma: a surgical challenge but oncologically feasible

AIM

The aim of the study was to assess the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic surgery for transverse colon cancer and to compare the clinicopathological outcome with that of conventional open surgery.

METHOD

From March 1998 to December 2009, 1253 patients with colorectal tumours were operated on, 564 laparoscopically. There were 154 cases of transverse colon cancer, 86 of which were included in the study. Details were collected on age, sex, body mass index (BMI), operation time, blood loss, time to first flatus, time to resume a liquid diet, postoperative length of hospital stay, complications, TNM stage, tumour size, distal resection margin, proximal resection margin, number of nodes harvested and surgical procedure. Laparoscopic and open surgical removal was compared.

RESULTS

No significant differences were found between laparoscopic and conventional groups in age, sex, BMI, operation time or postoperative length of hospital stay. The mean blood loss during the operations was significantly less in the laparoscopic group (105.9 ± 140.9 ml vs 305.7 ± 325.3 ml; P = 0.05). The time to the first flatus was shorter (2.1 ± 0.3 days vs 3.8 ± 3.0 days; P = 0.043) and diet was started earlier (3.1 ± 1.4 days vs 3.4 ± 1.5 days) in the laparoscopic group. No significant differences in tumour size, proximal resection margin or number of lymph nodes were observed. The mean distal resection margin was not statistically different (10.3 ± 4.5 cm vs 8.8 ± 4.9 cm). At a mean follow up of 33 ± 2.3 months, nonport-site metastases occurred in eight patients and locoregional recurrence occurred in three, with no significant difference between the groups. The 3-year cumulative overall survival rate was 78%, and the disease-free survival rate was 69%.

CONCLUSION

There was no difference in the outcome of laparoscopic and open surgery for transverse colon cancer, including the cancer-specific outcome.

Clinical outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for advanced transverse and descending colon cancer: a single-center experience

BACKGROUND

The role of laparoscopic surgery in management of transverse and descending colon cancer remains controversial. The aim of the present study is to investigate the short-term and oncologic long-term outcomes associated with laparoscopic surgery for transverse and descending colon cancer.

METHODS

This cohort study analyzed 245 patients (stage II disease, n = 70; stage III disease, n = 63) who underwent resection of transverse and descending colon cancers, including 200 laparoscopic surgeries (LAC) and 45 conventional open surgeries (OC) from December 1996 to December 2010. Short-term and oncologic long-term outcomes were recorded.

RESULTS

The operative time was longer in the LAC group than in the OC group. However, intraoperative blood loss was significantly lower and postoperative recovery time was significantly shorter in the LAC group than in the OC group. The 5-year overall and disease-free survival rates for patients with stage II were 84.9% and 84.9% in the OC group and 93.7% and 90.0% in the LAC group, respectively. The 5-year overall and disease-free survival rates for patients with stage III disease were 63.4% and 54.6% in the OC group and 66.7% and 56.9% in the LAC group, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Use of laparoscopic surgery resulted in acceptable short-term and oncologic outcomes in patients with advanced transverse and descending colon cancer.

Curative resection of transverse colon cancer via minilaparotomy

Minilaparotomy has been reported to be a minimally invasive alternative to laparoscopically assisted surgery. We retrospectively evaluated the usefulness of minilaparotomy for the resection of transverse colon cancer, which has generally been considered difficult to resect laparoscopically. Patients for whom curative resection was attempted for transverse colon cancer (n = 21) or sigmoid colon cancer (n = 81) via minilaparotomy (skin incision, < or = 7cm) were analyzed. The 2 groups did not significantly differ in terms of success rate of minilaparotomy (90.5% versus 97.5%), age, sex, pathologic stage, body mass index, operative time (mean, 133.5 minutes versus 122.5 minutes), blood loss (119.7 mL versus 92.4 mL), number of lymph nodes harvested, incidence of postoperative complications (9.5% versus 12.3%), postoperative length of stay, and 5-year disease-free survival rate (86.6% versus 79.6%). Minilaparotomy is feasible, safe, and favorable in terms of early oncologic outcome in patients with transverse colon cancer as well as those with sigmoid colon cancer.

Short-term outcomes of laparoscopic colectomy for transverse colon cancer

BACKGROUND

The role of laparoscopic surgery for transverse colon cancer (TCC) remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the safety of laparoscopic resection of TCC.

METHODS

Fifty-three patients undergoing laparoscopic resection of TCC (group A) were compared with 39 patients undergoing open resection of TCC (group B) and 200 patients undergoing laparoscopic resection of ascending or descending colon cancer (group C).

RESULTS

Mean operating time was longer (224 vs. 157 min), and mean estimated blood loss was lower (40 vs. 79 ml) in group A than in group B, but these were similar in groups A and C. The rates of conversion to open surgery were similar in groups A and C (1.9% vs. 1.0%). Tumor stage was more advanced in group B than in group A. All patients in groups A and B underwent pathologic R0 resection. The rates of postoperative complications did not differ significantly between groups (9.4% vs. 7.7% vs. 5.0%). Time to flatus (1.7 vs. 2.5 days), time to liquid diet (2.4 vs. 5.3 days), and hospital stay (12 vs. 15 days) were significantly shorter in group A than in group B, but similar in groups A and C.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic resection for TCC can be performed safely with similar short-term postoperative outcomes seen for colon cancer at other sites. Laparoscopic resection may be associated with faster gastrointestinal recovery and shorter length of hospital stay, compared with open surgery.

Impact of hospital case volume on the quality of laparoscopic colectomy in Japan

INTRODUCTION

The increased use of laparoscopic colectomy for colon cancer requires the evaluation of hospital case volume, quality care, and training systems, considering the difficulty of this surgery for various tumor locations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We assessed the quality of this procedure in Japan, based on hospital case volume and tumor location. A total of 3,765 patients were enrolled across 567 hospitals between July and December 2007. We analyzed patient characteristics, postoperative surgical complications, the administration of stapling devices or chemotherapy, hospital volume and teaching status, postoperative length of stay, total charges, and operating room time. Hospitals were classified into four case-volume categories: high (> or =5 cases per month), intermediate to high (3-4), low to intermediate (1-2), and low (<1). Multivariate analysis was used to test the impact of hospital category and tumor location.

RESULTS

Ten high-volume hospitals performed 401 cases, while 355 low-volume hospitals did 903. Hospital case volume, operating time, and complications affected postoperative stay and total costs. Longer procedural time was an independent predictor of complications. Tumor location, case volume, and teaching status explained the variations in procedural time individually but not complications. Training systems highlighting the applicability of techniques are important to promote the quality of laparoscopic colectomy.

A comparative study on the short-term clinicopathologic outcomes of laparoscopic surgery versus conventional open surgery for transverse colon cancer

BACKGROUND

The long-term oncologic stability of laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer was established, and laparoscopic surgery was accepted as an alternative to conventional open surgery for colon cancer. However, transverse colon cancer was excluded from the majority of the previous prospective studies. As a result, debate on laparoscopic surgery for transverse colon cancer continues. This study aimed to compare the clinicopathologic outcome of laparoscopic surgery with that of conventional open surgery for transverse colon cancer.

METHODS

From August 2004 to December 2007, 106 cases of transverse colon cancer were managed by resection at our institution, and 89 of these cases were included in this study. Age, sex, body mass index (BMI), operation time, blood loss, time to first flatus, time to start of diet, hospital stay, complications, tumor size, distal resection margin, proximal resection margin, and number of nodes harvested were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

No significant differences were found between the laparoscopic and conventional groups in terms of age, sex, BMI, operation time, or hospital stay. The mean blood loss during the operations was significantly less in the laparoscopic group (113.8 +/- 128.9 ml) than in the conventional group (278.8 +/- 268.7 ml; p < 0.05). Moreover, the time to the first flatus was shorter (2.8 +/- 0.9 days vs. 4.4 +/- 2.0 days; p < 0.00) and the diet was started earlier (3.9 +/- 1.7 days vs. 5.4 +/- 1.9 days; p < 0.00) in the laparoscopic group. No intergroup differences in tumor size, proximal resection margin, or number of lymph nodes were observed. The mean distal resection margin was longer in the laparoscopic group (12.5 +/- 4.1 cm vs. 9.2 +/- 6.2 cm; p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic and conventional open surgeries were found to have similar clinical outcomes in transverse colon cancer, and the oncologic quality of laparoscopic surgery was found to be acceptable compared with conventional open surgery.

Lymph node metastasis patterns in right-sided colon cancers: is segmental resection of these tumors oncologically safe?

PURPOSE

The type of surgery and the extent of lymphadenectomy depend on the tumor location and should be based on the extent of lymphatic spread and the oncologic outcome. The aim was to analyze patterns of lymph node metastasis in patients with right-sided colon cancer.

METHODS

Between 1996 and 2007, a total of 419 patients underwent curative resection for right-sided colon cancer. Lymph nodes were grouped immediately after surgery on the basis of the location of the tumor.

RESULTS

There were 75, 208, 78, and 58 tumors in the cecum, ascending colon, at the hepatic flexure, and in the transverse colon, respectively. Of the 58 patients with transverse colon tumors, 43, 11, 3, and 1 underwent right hemicolectomies, transverse colectomies, left hemicolectomies, and a subtotal colectomy, respectively. Patients with cecal and ascending colon cancers most frequently had metastases in the ileocolic lymph nodes. Metastasis to the lymph nodes along the right branch of the middle colic artery occurred in 6.1% of patients with cecal cancer. In patients with hepatic flexure cancers, the epicolic lymph nodes along the right and middle colic arteries were most commonly metastatic lymph nodes. In transverse colon cancer, the middle colic node was the most commonly involved lymph node. Approximately 10% of patients had metastases to the right colic nodes.

CONCLUSIONS

Metastasis to lymph nodes along the right colic artery occurred in approximately 10% of the patients with transverse cancer, indicating the need for great care in deciding the extent of segmental resection for these patients.