Combined laparoscopic and transperineal endoscopic total pelvic exenteration for local recurrence of rectal cancer

Retroperitoneoscopy of the presacral space in horses: Surgical access and anatomy

BACKGROUND

Surgical approaches to the equine rectum and perirectal area are described in the literature. However, surgeries in this region can be challenging.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the surgical anatomy of the presacral space and to evaluate its access using a retroperitoneoscopic approach.

STUDY DESIGN

Ex vivo experiment.

METHODS

Preliminary dissections were performed in two cadavers to define the boundaries of the presacral space and to determine portal locations for the surgical approach. After that, nine cadavers were used for experimental presacral retroperitoneoscopic procedure in a standing position. Following retroperitoneoscopy, cadavers were dissected to confirm the anatomical structures observed during the endoscopic procedures, to control the location of each portal and to record iatrogenic trauma.

RESULTS

The presacral space was bordered by the vertebral column from the ventral aspect of lumbosacral promontorium to the first coccygeal vertebra dorsally and by the presacral fascia and peritoneum ventrally. Lateral limits were composed of the sacrosciatic ligament and transversalis fascia. Cranial and caudal borders were composed of the peritoneum and coccygeal and levator ani muscles respectively. Retroperitoneoscopic portals were placed between the external anal sphincter and semimembranosus muscles and between the base of the tail and the external anal sphincter muscle through the anococcygeal fascia to enter the space by its caudal border. The retroperitoneal space was reached in all cases and the dorsal and lateral aspects of the rectum were visualised after creation of a working space.

MAIN LIMITATIONS

Use of cadaver specimens do not permit to evaluate the tolerance in living animals and the surgical complications such as rectal damage, haemorrhage and infection.

CONCLUSION

This study provides an anatomical description and surgical access of the presacral space with a minimal invasive approach. Retroperitoneoscopy allows access to the rectum and the dorsal aspect of the pelvis.

The impact of staple transection of the dorsal venous complex and urethra on intraoperative blood loss in cooperative laparoscopic and transperineal endoscopic pelvic exenteration

PURPOSE

While laparoscopic pelvic exenteration reduces intraoperative blood loss, dorsal venous complex bleeding during this procedure causes issues. We previously introduced a method to transect the dorsal venous complex and urethra using a linear stapler during cooperative laparoscopic and transperineal endoscopic (two-team) pelvic exenteration. The present study assessed its effectiveness in reducing intraoperative blood loss by comparing it with conventional laparoscopic pelvic exenteration.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study was conducted at a Japanese tertiary referral center. Eleven cases of two-team laparoscopic pelvic exenteration with staple transection of the dorsal venous complex (T-PE group) were compared to 25 cases of conventional laparoscopic pelvic exenteration (C-PE group). The primary outcome measure was intraoperative blood loss.

RESULTS

There were no significant between-group differences in patient background. The mean intraoperative blood loss was significantly lower in the T-PE group than in the C-PE group (200 vs. 850 mL, p = 0.01). The respective mean operation time, postoperative complication rate, and R0 resection rate were similar between the T-PE and C-PE groups (636 min vs. 688 min, p = 0.36; 36% vs. 44%, p = 0.65; 100% vs. 100%, p = 1.00).

CONCLUSIONS

Two-team laparoscopic pelvic exenteration with staple transection of the dorsal venous complex reduced intraoperative blood loss from the dorsal venous complex in a technically safe and oncologically feasible manner.

Feasibility of transanal minimally invasive surgery for total pelvic exenteration for advanced primary and recurrent pelvic malignancies

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to clarify the efficacy and safety of transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) for total pelvic exenteration (TPE) in advanced primary and recurrent pelvic malignancies.

METHODS

Using a prospectively collected database, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical, surgical, and pathological outcomes of TAMIS for TPE. Surgery was performed between September 2019 and April 2023. The median follow-up period was 22 months (2-45 months).

RESULTS

Fifteen consecutive patients were included in this analysis M:F = 14:1 and median (range) age was 63 (36-74). Their diagnoses were as follows: primary rectal cancer (n = 5; 33%), recurrent rectal cancer (n = 4; 27%), primary anorectal cancer (n = 5; 33%), and gastrointestinal stromal tumor (n = 1; 7%). Bladder-sparing TPE was selected for two patients (13%). In nine of 15 patients (60%) the anal sphincter could be successfully preserved, five patients (33%) required combined resection of the internal iliac vessels, and two (13%) required rectus muscle flap reconstruction. The median operative time was 723 min (561-1082), and the median intraoperative blood loss was 195 ml (30-1520). The Clavien-Dindo classifications of the postoperative complications were as follows: grade 0-2 (n = 11; 73%); 3a (n = 3; 20%); 3b (n = 1; 7%); and ≥ 4 (n = 0; 0%). No cases of conversion to laparotomy or mortality were observed. The pathological results demonstrated that R0 was achieved in 14 patients (93%).

CONCLUSIONS

The short-term outcomes of this initial experience proved that this novel approach is feasible for TPE, with low blood loss, acceptable postoperative complications, and a satisfactory R0 resection rate.

Reconstruction with omental flap and negative pressure wound therapy after total pelvic exenteration of anal fistula cancer: a case report

Introduction

Surgery for anal fistula cancer (AFC) associated with Crohn’s disease usually entails extensive perineal wounds and dead space in the pelvis, which is often filled with a myocutaneous flap. However, use of a myocutaneous flap is invasive. We report a case of total pelvic exenteration (TPE) for AFC in which a myocutaneous flap was avoided by using an omental flap and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT).

Case presentation

The patient was a 47-year-old woman who had been treated for Crohn’s disease involving the small and large intestine for 30 years and had repeatedly developed anal fistulas. She was referred with a diagnosis of AFC that had spread extensively in the pelvis. We performed laparoscopic TPE via a transperineal endoscopic approach. To prevent infection in the large skin defect and extensive pelvic dead space postoperatively, the perineal wound was reconstructed using an omental flap and NPWT. During 20 days of NPWT, the wound steadily decreased in size and closed on postoperative day (POD) 20. She was discharged without complications on POD 30.

Discussion

NPWT is useful for preventing perineal wound infection and promoting granulation tissue formation. However, direct contact with the intestine may lead to intestinal perforation. In this case, the combination of an omental flap with NPWT effectively prevented surgical site infection. The flap filled the large pelvic dead space and physically separated the intestine from the polyurethane foam used for NPWT.

Conclusion

NPWT and an omental flap may become an option when performing TPE.

Usefulness of structured-cadaveric training for trans-anal pelvic exenteration

PURPOSE

Structured training using cadaveric simulation is useful for trans-anal surgery; however, no studies have examined the effectiveness of cadaveric training for advanced trans-anal surgery including pelvic exenteration (PE).

METHODS

Twelve colorectal surgeons attended a total of 10 cadaveric simulation training courses between 2016 and 2021 and completed a questionnaire at the end of the program. We divided 14 consecutive patients who underwent trans-anal PE between 2015 and 2021 into two groups: pre-training group and post-training group, and compared the clinico-pathological features between the groups.

RESULTS

The median length of clinical experience of the surgeons was 12 years. There was high score agreement among the surgeons that the course was useful for recognition of anatomical and layer structure, training for trans-anal total mesorectal excision and trans-anal PE, and reducing complications specific to the trans-anal approach. Compared with the pre-training group, patients in the post-training group had a higher rate of two-team surgery (77.8% vs 0%, P = .021), and shorter time to specimen removal (273 vs 423 min, P = .045).

CONCLUSIONS

Structured-cadaveric training has potential use as a technical step-up in advanced trans-anal surgery that might contribute to better short-term outcomes in the clinical setting.

Combined laparoscopic and transperineal endoscopic total pelvic exenteration for the vaginal stump recurrence of cervical cancer

Total pelvic exenteration (TPE) is sometimes required for radical treatment of locally advanced or recurrent gynecologic cancer [1]. However, TPE with a transabdominal approach requires highly advanced techniques in the case of repeated surgery due to the effects of primary surgery and/or chemoradiotherapy, especially when a transabdominal approach is used. Recent technical advances in transanal/transperineal endoscopic surgery have proved beneficial for complicated surgery in the deep pelvis [2]. Here we introduce our surgical procedure for combined laparoscopic and transperineal endoscopic TPE (TpTPE) for pelvic recurrence of cervical cancer. A 42-year-old woman was diagnosed with vaginal stump recurrence of cervical cancer involving the rectum, bladder, and ureters following hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection as primary surgery and chemotherapy/chemoradiotherapy for previous recurrences. We decided to perform TpTPE with a combined laparoscopic approach. The GelPOINT advanced access platform was fixed through a perineal skin incision around the tightly closed anus, external urethral orifice, and vagina. With sufficient pneumopelvic pressure (12 mmHg), TpTPE was performed under a good surgical view without any effect of the primary surgery. A ureterostomy and sigmoid colostomy were created and a right gracilis muscle flap was used to reconstruct the pelvic defect. The total operative time and estimated blood loss were 887 minutes and 497 mL, respectively. Histopathological examination revealed recurrent cervical cancer invading the rectum, bladder, and bilateral ureters with negative surgical margins. The postoperative course was uneventful except for paralytic ileus. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 18. TpTPE is a technically feasible and effective approach for locally advanced pelvic tumors.

Staple-transection of the dorsal venous complex and urethra in cooperative laparoscopic and transperineal endoscopic total pelvic exenteration for pelvic malignancies

INTRODUCTION

Herein, we describe our novel technique for transecting the dorsal venous complex (DVC) and urethra using a linear stapler inserted through a perineal port during endoscopic pelvic exenteration for pelvic malignancies.

MATERIALS AND SURGICAL TECHNIQUE

First, a laparoscopic approach is made using a conventional 5-trocar pneumoperitoneum technique. When the Retzius and paravesical spaces are dissected to expose the tendinous arch of the levator ani muscle, the transperineal approach is synchronously begun. After the levator ani muscle and bilateral puboprostatic ligaments are dissected, the DVC and urethra are completely exposed. A linear stapler is inserted through the transperineal port along the dorsal side of the pubic body. The DVC and urethra are carefully compressed and transected with minimal bleeding. We describe four cases of laparoscopic total pelvic exenteration using this technique. Tumor size, operation time, and estimated blood loss ranged from 30-130 mm, 535-877 minutes, and 50-1520 mL, respectively.

DISCUSSION

Transperineal dissection of the DVC and urethra by linear staplers decreases both operation time and blood loss.

Combined transabdominal and transperineal endoscopic pelvic exenteration for colorectal cancer: feasibility and safety of a two-team approach

Purpose

Pelvic exenteration (PE) is a highly invasive procedure with high morbidity and mortality rates. Promising options to reduce this invasiveness have included laparoscopic and transperineal approaches. The aim of this study was to identify the safety of combined transabdominal and transperineal endoscopic PE for colorectal malignancies.

Methods

Fourteen patients who underwent combined transabdominal and transperineal PE (T group: 2-team approach, n = 7; O group: 1-team approach, n = 7) for colorectal malignancies between April 2016 and March 2020 in our institutions were included in this study. Clinicopathological features and perioperative outcomes were compared between groups.

Results

All patients successfully underwent R0 resection. Operation time tended to be shorter in the T group (463 minutes) than in the O group (636 minutes, P = 0.080). Time to specimen removal was significantly shorter (258 minutes vs. 423 minutes, P = 0.006), blood loss was lower (343 mL vs. 867 mL, P = 0.042), and volume of blood transfusion was less (0 mL vs. 560 mL, P = 0.063) in the T group, respectively. Postoperative complications were similar between groups.

Conclusion

Combined transabdominal and transperineal PE under a synchronous 2-team approach was feasible and safe, with the potential to reduce operation time, blood loss, and surgeon stress.