Laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer

Robotic versus laparoscopic surgery for colorectal disease: a systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression of randomised controlled trials

INTRODUCTION

Robotic surgery (RS) is gaining prominence in colorectal procedures owing to advantages like three-dimensional vision and enhanced dexterity, particularly in rectal surgery. Although recent reviews report similar outcomes between laparoscopic surgery (LS) and RS, this study investigates the evolving trends in outcomes over time, paralleling the increasing experience in RS.

METHODS

A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression were conducted of randomised controlled trials exploring postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing RS or LS for colorectal pathology. The primary outcome measure was postoperative complications. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration's assessment tool. Randomised controlled trials were identified from the PubMed®, Embase® and CINAHL® (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) databases via the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials.

RESULTS

Of 491 articles screened, 13 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis of postoperative complications revealed no significant difference between RS and LS (relative risk [RR]: 0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.79 to 1.18, p=0.72). Meta-regression analysis of postoperative complications demonstrated a significant trend favouring RS over time (yearly change in Ln(RR): -0.0620, 95% CI: -0.1057 to -0.0183, p=0.005). Secondary outcome measures included operative time, length of stay, blood loss, conversion to open surgery, positive circumferential resection margins and lymph nodes retrieved. The only significant findings were shorter operative time favouring LS (mean difference: 41.48 minutes, 95% CI: 22.15 to 60.81 minutes, p<0.001) and fewer conversions favouring RS (RR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.37 to 0.85, p=0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

As experience in RS grows, evidence suggests an increasing safety profile for patients. Meta-regression revealed a significant temporal trend with complication rates favouring RS over LS. Heterogeneous reporting of complications hindered subgroup analysis of minor and major complications. LS remains quicker. Rising adoption of RS coupled with emerging evidence is expected to further elucidate its clinical efficacy.

A retrospective study comparing minimally invasive versus open surgical resection of small intestinal neuroendocrine neoplasms at a tertiary referral center

INTRODUCTION

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (SI-NEN) are the commonest malignancies of the small intestine. Traditionally, surgical treatment for SI-NEN has been open surgery.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to compare minimally invasive surgery (MIS) with the traditional open surgery approach for treating SI-NEN in a Swedish population.

METHODS

Patients with histopathological confirmed SI-NEN who underwent open surgery or MIS resection within 2009-2021 were extracted from the hospital's medical records.

RESULTS

65 patients were included in this study, with 35 (54 %) undergoing MIS and 30 (46 %) undergoing open surgery. We found no statistically significant difference (p = 0.173) in the frequency of R0 resections (MIS group n = 34 (97 %), open surgery group n = 26 (87 %)). Nor was there a significant difference (p = 0.101) when comparing the median number of resected lymph nodes (MIS group n = 13.5, open surgery group n = 10). A post-operative paralytic ileus was more often reported (p = 0.052) in the MIS group (n = 9, 26 %) compared to the open surgery group (n = 2, 7 %). In light of this, the days of hospital stay did not differ significantly (MIS group median = 6, IQR (5-8), open surgery group median = 6, IQR (5-9)). The Kaplan-Meier analysis did not reveal differences concerning cancer-related deaths (p = 0.109).

CONCLUSION

The results from this study support that a MIS approach for the treatment of SI-NEN may not be inferior to open surgery. The higher number of resected lymph nodes and R0 resections may even speak in favor for a MIS approach. More studies with a longer time of observation are needed to further support this conclusion.

Clinical application of two-port laparoscopic surgery in sigmoid colon and upper rectal cancer resection

Background

In the field of minimally invasive surgery, the two-port laparoscopic surgery is on the rise. This study investigated the safety and efficacy of two-port laparoscopic surgery (TLS) for resecting sigmoid colon and upper rectal cancers compared with conventional laparoscopic surgery (CLS).

Methods

The clinical data of patients undergoing laparoscopic sigmoid colon cancer and upper rectal cancer resection at the Department of General Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical College between July 2019 and January 2022 were retrospectively collected. Grouped according to different laparoscopic surgery. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria,A total of 81 patients were enrolled, of the 25 patients from the TLS group,and of the 56 patients from the CLS group. We mainly compared whether there were statistical differences between the two groups in terms of operative time, intraoperative bleeding, incision length, time to first ambulation, time to first flatus, time to first defecation, postoperative complication rate, and other surgical outcomes.

Results

There was no statistical difference between the two groups in terms of baseline clinical characteristics (P > 0.05). In terms of the surgical outcomes, there were statistical differences in the total incision length (TLS: 6.21 ± 0.67 cm, CLS: 8.64 ± 1.08 cm, P < 0.001)), time to first ambulation (TLS: 2.0 ± 0.7 d, CLS:3.1 ± 0.9 d, P < 0.001), time to first flatus (TLS: 2.5 ± 0.8 d, CLS: 3.0 ± 0.8 d, P = 0.028), time to first defecation (TLS: 3.8 ± 1.3 d, CLS: 5.1 ± 2.1 d, P = 0.010), and time for liquid diet (TLS: 4.3 ± 1.4 d, CLS: 5.3 ± 1.9 d, P = 0.021). There was no statistical difference between the two groups in terms of the pathology (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

In terms of safety, TLS in sigmoid colon and upper rectal cancer resection is comparable to CLS. However, its incision is smaller and more aesthetic, and it causes lesser trauma than CLS. Additionally, it is also superior to CLS in postoperative recovery.

Meta-analysis of the effect of laparoscopic surgery and open surgery on long-term quality of life in patients with colorectal cancer

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effect of laparoscopic surgery and open surgery on the quality of life of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) in the growth period after the operation, and to provide a reference for surgical treatment decisions of patients with CRC.

METHODS

PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were searched through May 7, 2022 for clinical studies comparing the postoperative quality of life in CRC patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery with those who underwent open surgery. Data were extracted from eligible studies following rigorous quality review. All studies included patient numbers, surgery type, follow-up length, and quality of life scores.

RESULTS

A total of 6 studies were included, resulting in significantly better physical functioning scores with laparoscopic versus open surgery. (Standardized mean difference = 0.45; 95% CI (0.15, 0.75), P = .003). However, in general health, social functioning, bodily pain, vitality, quality of life index, Global Quality Scale, physical component summary and mental component summary, there was no telling difference between the 2 surgical therapies.

CONCLUSION

Compared with open surgery, laparoscopic surgery has weak advantages. There was no noteworthy difference in the long-term quality of life between the 2 surgical treatments for CRC patients. Whether laparoscopic surgery can bring more improvement to the quality of life of patients with CRC needs more high-quality clinical randomized studies to verify.

Redo laparoscopic colorectal resection: a retrospective analysis with propensity score matching

PURPOSE

Reports of redo laparoscopic colorectal resection (Re-LCRR) are scarce. In order to evaluate the safety and short-term outcomes of Re-LCRR, we performed a matched case-control analysis of patients who underwent this procedure for colorectal cancer.

METHOD

This was a retrospective, monocentric study that included patients who underwent Re-LCRR for colorectal cancer between January 2011 and December 2019 at our institution. The patients were compared to a 2:1 matched sample. Matching was conducted based on age, sex, BMI, surgical procedure, and clinical stage.

RESULT

Twenty-nine patients underwent Re-LCRR (RCRR group) and were compared to 58 patients selected by matching who underwent LCRR as primary resection (PCRR group). The median of age of the 29 patients of RCRR group was 75 (IQR 56-81) years and the RCRR group included 14 males. The median operative time of the RCRR group was 167 (IQR 126-232) minutes, and the median intraoperative blood loss was 5 (IQR 2-35) ml. In the RCRR group, there were no cases that required conversion to laparotomy. The short-term outcomes of the two groups did not differ to a statistical extent with respect to operative time (p = 0.415), intraoperative blood loss (p = 0.971), rate of conversion to laparotomy (p = 0.477), comorbidity (p = 0.215), and postoperative hospital stay (p = 0.809). No patients in either group experienced postoperative anastomotic leakage or required re-operation due to postoperative complications, and there was no procedure-related death. However, in terms of oncological factors, although there was no difference in the number of cases with a positive radical margin between the two groups (p = 1.000), the number of harvested lymph nodes in the RCRR group was significantly lower than that in the PCRR group (p = 0.015) and the RCRR group included 10 cases with less than 12 harvested lymph nodes.

CONCLUSION

Re-LCRR is associated with good short-term results and can be safely performed; however, the number of harvested lymph nodes is significantly reduced in comparison to primary resection cases, and further studies are needed to evaluate its long-term prognosis.

Application of multimodal identification technology in the innovative management operation department

Background

The optimization of surgical procedures and the management of surgical quality and safety have become the focus of attention of hospital managers. The application of multimodal identification technology in the innovative management mode of hospital operating department has made remarkable progress.

Methods

To investigate the effect of the upgraded multimodal identification technology on the innovative management of the operating department, 2,280 cases of laparoscopic surgery using traditional surgical management procedures from January to December 2019 before the management upgrade were set as the control group, and 2,350 laparoscopic surgeries with the upgraded multimodal identification management process from January to December 2020 were selected as the experimental group. The operating efficiency, material management efficiency, and patient experience and satisfaction of the two groups were investigated and compared.

Results

Compared with traditional procedures, the upgraded multimodal surgical management system significantly improves the efficiency of laparoscopic surgery and reduces surgical consumption and costs. In addition, the multimodal surgical information identification system significantly improves the surgical experience for patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery.

Conclusion

Application of multimodal identification technology improves the innovative management of operation department compared with traditional surgery management procedure.

A pilot study of near-infrared fluorescence guided surgery for primary tumor localization and lymph node mapping in colorectal cancer

Background

This pilot study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of near-infrared fluorescence imaging for primary tumor localization, lymph node mapping, and metastatic lymph node detection in colorectal cancer (CRC) using indocyanine green (ICG).

Methods

A total of 11 patients with CRC were prospectively enrolled. ICG (25 mg dissolved in 30 mL sterile water) was intravenously injected preoperatively, and the fluorescence intensity of the primary tumor, lymph nodes, and normal tissues, as well as the signal-to-background ratio (SBR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were measured at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 24 h after ICG injection.

Results

The primary tumor could be located intraoperatively, and the tumor boundary was clear at 2–4 h. There was good contrast in the fluorescence intensity between tumor and normal tissues (SBR =2.11±0.36, CNR =8.74±0.35). The lymph node detection rate was 95% (38/40), and the SBR threshold of lymph nodes was 1.13.

Conclusions

This pilot study showed that primary tumor localization and lymph node mapping in CRC is feasible using near-infrared fluorescence imaging technology, though metastatic lymph nodes cannot be discriminated from benign ones. In addition, cancer nodules missed by both white light mode and palpation by the surgeon were unexpectedly found, resulting in a change in the surgical prognosis in 9.1% (1/11) of patients.

Inequalities in access to minimally invasive general surgery: a comprehensive nationwide analysis across 20 years

Background

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has profoundly changed standards of care and lowered perioperative morbidity, but its temporal implementation and factors favoring MIS access remain elusive. We aimed to comprehensibly investigate MIS adoption across different surgical procedures over 20 years, identify predictors for MIS amenability and compare propensity score-matched outcomes among MIS and open surgery.

Methods

Nationwide retrospective analysis of all hospitalizations in Switzerland between 1998 and 2017. Appendectomies (n = 186,929), cholecystectomies (n = 57,788), oncological right (n = 9138) and left hemicolectomies (n = 21,580), rectal resections (n = 13,989) and gastrectomies for carcinoma (n = 6606) were included. Endpoints were assessment of temporal MIS implementation, identification of predictors for MIS access and comparison of propensity score-matched outcomes among MIS and open surgery.

Results

The rates of MIS increased for all procedures during the study period (p ≤ 0.001). While half of all appendectomies were performed laparoscopically by 2005, minimally invasive oncological colorectal resections reached 50% only by 2016. Multivariate analyses identified older age (p ≤ 0.02, except gastrectomy), higher comorbidities (p ≤ 0.001, except rectal resections), lack of private insurance (p ≤ 0.01) as well as rural residence (p ≤ 0.01) with impaired access to MIS. Rural residence correlated with low income regions (p ≤ 0.001), which themselves were associated with decreased MIS access. Geographical mapping confirmed strong disparities for rural and low-income areas in MIS access. Matched outcome analyses revealed benefits of MIS for length of stay, decreased surgical site infection rates for MIS appendectomies and cholecystectomies and higher mortality for open cholecystectomies. No consistent morbidity or mortality benefit for MIS compared to open colorectal resections was observed.

Conclusion

Unequal access to MIS exists in disfavor of older and more comorbid patients and those lacking private insurance, living in rural areas, and having lower income. Efforts should be made to ensure equal MIS access regardless of socioeconomic or geographical factors.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00464-020-08123-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Effect of epidural analgesia on cancer prognosis after colon cancer resection: a single-centre cohort study in Taiwan

OBJECTIVES

Whether epidural analgesia affects cancer outcomes remains controversial. Most previous investigations ignored the confounding potential of important pathological factors on cancer outcomes. This study aimed to assess the association between epidural analgesia and cancer recurrence or death after resections for colon cancer.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

A single-medical centre in Taiwan.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with stage I through III colon cancer undergoing bowel resection and receiving either epidural analgesia or intravenous opioid analgesia from 2005 to 2014.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary outcome was postoperative recurrence-free survival and secondary outcome was overall survival.

RESULTS

A total of 2748 and 1218 patients were analysed before and after propensity score matching. Cox regression analyses did not demonstrate any association between epidural analgesia and recurrence or death after matching (HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.21 for recurrence; 0.72, 95% CI 0.48 to 1.09 for death). Independent prognostic factors for cancer recurrence and death were higher level of preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen, perioperative blood transfusion, advanced cancer stage and pathological lymphovascular invasion.

CONCLUSIONS

No definite association was found between epidural analgesia and risk of recurrence or death in patients undergoing colon cancer resection.

Outcomes of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with and without COPD

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the outcomes of patients with COPD after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).

Patients and methods: All COPD patients who underwent LC from 2000 to 2010 were identified from the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database. The outcomes of hospital stay, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and use of mechanical ventilation and life support measures in COPD and non-COPD populations were compared.

Results: A total of 3,954 COPD patients who underwent LC were enrolled in our study. There were significant differences in the hospitalization period, ICU stay, and use of mechanical ventilation and life support measures between the COPD and non-COPD populations. The mean hospital stay, ICU stay and number of mechanical ventilation days in the COPD and non-COPD groups were 7.81 vs 6.01 days, 5.5 vs 4.5 days and 6.40 vs 4.74 days, respectively. The use of life support measures, including vasopressors and hemodialysis, and the rates of hospital mortality, acute respiratory failure and pneumonia were also increased in COPD patients compared with those in non-COPD patients.

Conclusion: COPD increased the risk of mortality, lengths of hospital and ICU stays, ventilator days and poor outcomes after LC in this study.

Totally-laparoscopic versus laparoscopic-assisted low anterior resection for rectal cancer: are outcomes different?

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic low anterior resection for rectal cancer has superior short-term benefits compared to open surgery. When operative conditions do not favour a totally-laparoscopic (TL) approach, a hybrid operation can be performed. In this laparoscopic-assisted (LA) approach, mobilization and vessel ligation are performed laparoscopically, with total mesorectal excision and distal transection performed either partially or totally in an extra-corporeal fashion. We compared short-term post-operative and oncological outcomes of both approaches.

METHODS

A prospectively collected database of patients who underwent laparoscopic low anterior resection for rectal cancer between January 2009 and December 2014 was retrospectively analysed. Demographics, post-operative and oncological outcomes were compared.

RESULTS

Of 174 patients, 97 were completed by TL, 62 by LA and the remaining 15 were converted to open. Baseline demographics were similar. LA group compared to TL group had bulkier rectal cancers (6.75 cm³ versus 4.50 cm³ , P = 0.04) which were lower (6 cm versus 7 cm from anal verge, P = 0.02). They were of a more advanced tumour grade and had greater incidence of lymphovascular invasion. Yet, post-operative outcomes such as time to diet, pain scores, hospitalization duration, wound-related and anastomotic complications, 30-day morbidity and mortality were similar. There was no difference in oncological adequacy, including circumferential resection margins, distal margins, lymph node harvest and 2-year local recurrence rates.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic-assisted low anterior resection enables minimally invasive rectal surgery to be performed despite unfavourable tumour factors and technical challenges; and compares favourably with TL approach in terms of short-term outcomes and oncological safety.

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer

Background

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) has theoretical advantages over other approaches.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study of colorectal cancers operated on by NOTES (transanally for rectal tumours, transvaginally for sigmoid tumours) between December 2013 and December 2015, with a minimum follow‐up of 1 year. Eligibility criteria included ASA fitness grade I–III, BMI below 25 kg/m² and TNM stage T3 N0 M0. Exclusion criteria included pregnancy or distant metastasis. The anastomosis was either handsewn or performed mechanically.

Results

Sixteen patients were operated on by a transanal and four by a transvaginal approach. There were ten men and ten women, with a mean(s.d.) age of 55·6(12·1) years. Mean BMI was 22·4(2·6) kg/m². Four anterior, 11 low anterior and five intersphincteric resections were performed for 16 rectal and four low sigmoid tumours. The mean duration of surgery was 258(11) min. No conversion to laparotomy was needed, and there were no deaths. Five patients required additional ports, for intraoperative bleeding (1), suture of an intraoperative urethral injury with covering ileostomy (1) and difficulty in dissection (3). One patient had an anastomotic leak requiring transanal closure and ileostomy on day 7. Both ileostomies were closed after 2 months. The mean hospital stay was 6·4(1·8) days. All resections were R0.

Conclusion

In carefully selected patients NOTES for colorectal cancer resection was feasible and effective.

Colorectal cancer in aged patients. Toward the routine treatment through laparoscopic surgical approach

AIM

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignancies in general population. The incidence seems to be higher in older age. Surgery remains the treatment of choice and laparoscopic approach offers numerous benefits. We report our personal experience in elderly patients operated on for colorectal cancer with laparoscopic resection.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From January 2003 to September 2013, out of 160 patients aged 65 years or older and operated with minimally invasive techniques, 30 cases affected by colorectal cancer and operated on with laparoscopic approach were analyzed in this study.

RESULTS

Male/female ratio was 1.35 and mean age 72 years. Constipation, weight loss, anemia and rectal bleeding were the most commonly reported symptoms. Lesions involved descending-sigmoid colon in 53% of cases, rectum in 37% and ascending colon in 10%. Among laparoscopic colo-rectal operations laparoscopic left colectomy was the most frequently performed, followed by right colectomy, abdominoperineal resection and Hartmann procedure. Operative times ranged from 3 to 5 hours depending on surgical procedure performed. Mean hospital stay was 6 days (range 4-9). Conversion to open approach occurred only in a case of laparoscopic right colectomy (3%) for uncontrolled bleeding. A single case of mortality was reported. In two cases (7%) anastomotic leakage was observed, conservatively treated in one patient and requiring reoperation in the other one.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic colorectal surgery is feasible and effective for malignancies in elderly population offering several advantages including immunologic and oncologic ones. However an experienced surgical team is essential in reducing risks and complications.

Laparoscopy decreases complications for obese patients undergoing elective rectal surgery

INTRODUCTION

While there are many reported advantages to laparoscopic surgery compared to open surgery, the impact of a laparoscopic approach on postoperative morbidity in obese patients undergoing rectal surgery has not been studied. Our goal was to determine whether obese patients undergoing laparoscopic rectal surgery experienced the same benefits as non-obese patients.

METHODS

We identified patients undergoing rectal resections using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Project Participant Use Data File. We performed multivariable analyses to determine the independent association between laparoscopy and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

A total of 26,437 patients underwent rectal resection. The mean age was 58.5 years, 32.6 % were obese, and 47.2 % had cancer. Laparoscopic procedures were slightly less common in obese patients compared to non-obese patients (36.0 vs. 38.2 %, p = 0.0006). In unadjusted analyses, complications were lower with the laparoscopic approach in both obese (18.9 vs. 32.4 %, p < 0.0001) and non-obese (15.6 vs. 25.3 %, p < 0.0001) patients. In a multivariable analysis controlling for potential confounders, the risk of postoperative complications increased as the degree of obesity worsened. The likelihood of experiencing a postoperative complication increased by 25, 45, and 75 % for obese class I, obese class II, and obese class III patients, respectively. A laparoscopic approach was associated with a 40 % decreased odds of a postoperative complication for all patients (OR 0.60, 95 % CI 0.56-0.64).

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic rectal surgery is associated with fewer complications when compared to open rectal surgery in both obese and non-obese patients. Obesity was an independent risk factor for postoperative complications. In appropriately selected patients, rectal surgery outcomes may be improved with a minimally invasive approach.

Outcome of tumor-specific mesorectal excision for rectal cancer: the impact of laparoscopic resection

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to compare the outcomes of laparoscopic and open resection for rectal cancer in 1,063 consecutive cases in a single center.

METHODS

We performed an analysis of 11 years of experience in rectal cancer surgery and compared the outcome of laparoscopic and open surgery. Multivariate and subgroup analysis was performed to look at the effect of the level of tumor and stage of disease on short-term outcomes like conversion rate, anastomotic leak rate, length of stay, complication rate, 30-day mortality, and long-term outcomes like local recurrence and survival.

RESULTS

A total of 1,063 patients underwent rectal resection with 470 (44.2%) patients undergoing the laparoscopic approach. Groups were comparable in terms of age, sex, or co-morbidities, and the operating time was longer in the laparoscopic group (210 vs. 150 min; p value < 0.001). A conversion rate of 6.8% was noted, with an anastomotic leak rate of 3.87% in the open group and 2.97% in the laparoscopic group. The laparoscopic group had a lower blood loss (100 vs. 350 ml; p < 0.001), lower complication rates, and shorter length of stay (6 vs. 9 days). The local recurrence rate was comparable, and the laparoscopic approach had better overall and cancer-specific survival, even after adjusting for stages. The laparoscopic approach was an independent factor associated with better overall and cancer-specific survival on multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

We confirmed the oncological safety of laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery. Laparoscopic surgery also showed superiority in the short-term and long-term outcomes of rectal cancer.

Laparoscopic resection of t4 colon cancers: is it feasible?

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic surgical treatment of T4 cancers remains a concern that is mostly associated with technical feasibility, high conversion rate, inadequate oncologic clearance, and surgical outcome.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the short- and long-term clinical and oncologic outcomes after laparoscopic and open surgeries for T4 colon cancers.

DESIGN

This was a retrospective study of patients with T4 colon cancer without metastasis (M0) who had laparoscopic or open surgery from 2003 to 2011.

SETTING

The study was conducted at a single institution.

PATIENTS

A total of 83 patients with pT4 colon cancer were included.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

R0 resection rate, morbidity and mortality within 30 postoperative days, overall survival, and disease-free survival were measured.

RESULTS

Laparoscopic surgery was performed on 61 and open surgery on 22 patients. The groups were similar in overall staging (p = 0.461), with 35 (42%) of the patients at stage 2 and 48 (58%) at stage 3. A complete R0 resection was achieved in 61 (100%) of the patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery and in 21 (96%) of the patients who underwent open surgery (p = 0.265). The average number of lymph nodes harvested was 21 in the laparoscopic group and 24 in the open group (p = 0.202). Thirty-day morbidity rate was similar between the groups (p = 0.467), and the mortality rate was 0. The length of hospital and postsurgical stay was significantly shorter in the laparoscopic group (p = 0.002 and p = 0.008). The 3-year overall survival rates between the groups were 82% (range, 71%-93%) for patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery and 81% (range, 61%-100%) for those who underwent open surgery (p = 0.525), and disease-free survival was 67% (range, 54%-79%) for laparoscopic surgery and 64% (range, 43%-86%) for open surgery (p = 0.848). The follow-up time was 40 ± 25 in months in the laparoscopic group and 34 ± 26 months in the open surgery group (p = 0.325).

LIMITATIONS

This was a retrospective study at a single institution.

CONCLUSIONS

The study shows that laparoscopic surgery is feasible in T4 colon cancers. With comparable clinical and oncologic outcomes, this study suggests that laparoscopy may be considered as an alternative approach for T4 colon cancers with the advantage of faster recovery (see Video, Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/DCR/A156).

Is minimally invasive colon resection better than traditional approaches?: First comprehensive national examination with propensity score matching

IMPORTANCE

Minimally invasive colectomies are increasingly popular options for colon resection.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the perioperative outcomes and costs of robot-assisted colectomy (RC), laparoscopic colectomy (LC), and open colectomy (OC).

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

The US Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was used to examine outcomes and costs before and after propensity score matching across the 3 surgical approaches. This study involved a sample of US hospital discharges from 2008 to 2010 and all patients 21 years of age or older who underwent elective colectomy. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES In-hospital mortality, complications, ostomy rates, conversion to open procedure, length of stay, discharge disposition, and cost.

RESULTS

Of the 244129 colectomies performed during the study period, 126284 (51.7%) were OCs, 116261 (47.6%) were LCs, and 1584 (0.6%) were RCs. In comparison with OC, LC was associated with a lower mortality rate (0.4% vs 2.0%), lower complication rate (19.8% vs 33.2%), lower ostomy rate (3.5 vs 13.0%), shorter median length of stay (4 vs 6 days), a higher routine discharge rate (86.1% vs 68.4%), and lower overall cost than OC ($11742 vs $13666) (all P<.05). Comparison between RC and LC showed no significant differences with respect to in-hospital mortality (0.0% vs 0.7%), complication rates (14.7% vs 18.5%), ostomy rates (3.0% vs 5.1%), conversions to open procedure (5.7% vs 9.9%), and routine discharge rates (88.7% vs 88.5%) (all P>.05). However, RC incurred a higher overall hospitalization cost than LC ($14847 vs $11966, P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this nationwide comparison of minimally invasive approaches for colon resection, LC demonstrated favorable clinical outcomes and lower cost than OC. Robot-assisted colectomy was equivalent in most clinical outcomes to LC but incurred a higher cost.

Incidence trends and predictors for cost and average lengths of stay in colorectal cancer surgery

AIM: To evaluate the changing trends and outcomes of colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery performed at a large single institution in Taiwan.

METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed 778 patients who received colorectal cancer surgery at E-Da Hospital in Taiwan from 2004 to 2009. These patients were from health examination, inpatient or emergency settings. The following attributes were analyzed in patients who had undergone CRC surgical procedures: gender, age, source, surgical type, tumor number, tumor size, number of lymph node metastasis, pathologic differentiation, chemotherapy, distant metastases, tumor site, tumor stage, average hospitalization cost and average lengths of stay (ALOS). The odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to assess the relative rate of change. Regression models were employed to predict average hospitalization cost and ALOS.

RESULTS: The study sample included 458 (58.87%) males and 320 (41.13%) females with a mean age of 64.53 years (standard deviation, 12.33 years; range, 28-86 years). The principal patient source came from inpatient and emergency room (96.02%). The principal tumor sites were noted at the sigmoid colon (35.73%) and rectum (30.46%). Most patients exhibited a tumor stage of 2 (37.28%) or 3 (34.19%). The number of new CRC surgeries performed per 100000 persons was 12.21 in 2004 and gradually increased to 17.89 in 2009, representing a change of 46.52%. During the same period, the average hospitalization cost and ALOS decreased from $5303 to $4062 and from 19.7 to 14.4 d, respectively. The following factors were associated with considerably decreased hospital resource utilization: age, source, surgical type, tumor size, tumor site, and tumor stage.

CONCLUSION: These results can be generalized to patient populations elsewhere in Taiwan and to other countries with similar patient profiles.