Inadvertent Splenectomy During Resection for Colorectal Cancer Does Not Increase Long-term Mortality in a Propensity Score Model: A Nationwide Cohort Study

A Glimpse into the Role and Effectiveness of Splenectomy for Isolated Metachronous Spleen Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer Origin: Long-Term Survivals Can Be Achieved

Background: Many papers exploring the role of resectioning metastases in colorectal cancer (CRC) have focused mainly on liver and lung sites, showing improved survival compared with non-resectional therapies. However, data about exceptional metastatic sites such as splenic metastases (SMs) are scarce. This paper aims to assess the role and effectiveness of splenectomy in the case of isolated metachronous SM of CRC origin. Methods: The patients' data were extracted after a comprehensive literature search through public databases for articles reporting patients with splenectomies for isolated metachronous SM of CRC origin. Potential predictors of survival were explored, along with demographic, diagnostic, pathology, and treatment data for each patient. Results: A total of 83 patients with splenectomies for isolated metachronous SM of CRC origin were identified. The primary CRC was at an advanced stage (Duke's C-70.3%) and on the left colon (45.5%) for most patients, while the median interval between CRC resection and SM was 24 months. The median overall survival after splenectomy was 84 months, and patients younger than 62 years presented statistically significantly worse overall survival rates than those ≥62 years old (p = 0.011). There was no significant impact on the long-term outcomes for factors including primary tumor location or adjuvant chemotherapy (p values ≥ 0.070, ns). Laparoscopic splenectomy was increasingly used in the last 20 years from 2002 (33.3% vs. 0%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Splenectomy is the optimal treatment for patients with isolated metachronous SM of CRC, with the laparoscopic approach being increasingly used and having the potential to become a standard of care. Encouraging long-term survival rates were reported in the context of a multidisciplinary approach. Younger ages are associated with worse survival. Perioperative chemotherapy in the context of a patient diagnosed with SM of CRC origin appears to be a reasonable option, although the present study failed to show any significant impact on long-term survival.

[Mobilization of splenic flexure - routine or selective (results of a single-center randomized study)]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate safety and effectiveness of routine splenic flexure mobilization (SFM) in surgical treatment of rectal cancer (RC).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A single-center randomized study was performed between 2016 and 2019. Patients were randomized into 2 groups (SFM (+), n=156, SFM(-), n=67). Standard anterior and low anterior rectal resection was used. We used a combination of medial, lateral, and anterior approaches for SFM. Intraoperative, early and late postoperative complications, histological data, local recurrence, overall 3-year, relapse-free and cancer-specific survival were analyzed.

RESULTS

Surgery time was 253.2±72.8 and 252.0±78.0 min in the SFM(+) and SFM(-) groups, respectively (p=0.98). Blood loss was 53.3±53.6 and 67.0±108.8 ml, respectively (p=0.85), length of specimen - 28.6 (95% CI 27.2-29.9) and 24.0 cm (95% CI 22.2-25.7) (p<0.0001). Length of residual fragment of sigmoid colon was 5.0 (95% CI 3.9-6.1) and 9.1 cm (95% CI 7.2-11.1) (p<0.0001), respectively. The number of examined lymph nodes was 15.5 (95% CI 14.2-16.8) and 16.1 (95% CI 14.2-18.1) (p=0.52), number of affected lymph nodes - 1.5 (95% CI 0.9-2.1) and 1.5 (95% CI 0.9-2.2), respectively (p=0.38). Spleen damage was more common in the SFM (-) group (4.5% vs. 1.3%, p=0.12). Logistic regression analysis indicates that SFM does not affect the incidence of spleen damage. Severity of postoperative complications was similar (p=0.63). Anastomotic leak (AL) was more common in the SFM group (-) (17.9% vs. 9.6%, p=0.04). AL grade B was more common in the SFM(-) group (p=0.0001). Logistic regression analysis revealed the following predictors of anastomotic leakage: length of specimen and length of residual sigmoid colon. There was no significant relationship between SFM and incidence of local and systemic recurrences. Overall, cancer-specific and relapse-free 3-year survival was similar.

CONCLUSION

SFM is a safe procedure with various advantages. However, this approach does not improve intraoperative, early and long-term postoperative outcomes that does not allow us to recommend this approach for routine application.

Laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy and splenectomy for diverticulitis and splenic sarcoidosis

Splenectomy together with colectomy is most commonly performed as a result of iatrogenic injury and not as an additional elective procedure. A 50-year-old African American female presented with recurrent episodes of diverticulitis. She had mediastinal, and porta hepatis lymphadenopathy and subcutaneous nodules, but multiple biopsies were unable to establish the diagnosis. On computed tomography scan, innumerable hypodense splenic lesions were noted. The patient underwent combined laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy and splenectomy. First, the severely inflamed sigmoid colon was mobilised followed by descending colon and splenic flexure. The spleen, which showed multiple granulomas, was dissected out and the hilum secured with a stapler. The rectum was now stapled, the Pfannenstiel incision was reopened, the spleen was removed in a retrieval bag and the colon was pulled out. The colorectal anastomosis was created with an end-to-end anastomotic (circular) stapler. Pathology demonstrated multiple non-caseating granulomas indicative for sarcoidosis and acute/chronic diverticulitis. The patient developed a superficial surgical site infection but no other complications. Prednisone and methotrexate were started and her sarcoidosis improved. She was well at her 2 years of follow-up. Only few patients have an indication for elective splenectomy together with segmental colectomy. The procedure can be safely performed using a laparoscopic approach.

How we do it: totally laparoscopic complete mesocolon excision for splenic flexure cancer

BACKGROUND

Splenic flexure (SF) cancer is not a common condition and its treatment is still under discussion. Although laparoscopic surgery is well accepted for the treatment of colon cancer at any stage, complete mesocolon excision (CME) with selective vascular ligation using the laparoscopic approach for SF cancer remains technically demanding and represents a real challenge for surgeons.

METHODS

We present a single-institution experience of laparoscopic CME for SF cancer. Intra-operative, pathologic, and post-operative data of patients who underwent laparoscopic SF resection were reviewed to assess the technical feasibility and oncologic safety. Technical features, histopathology, morbidity, and mortality were evaluated.

RESULTS

From February 2015 to October 2017, a minimally invasive approach was proposed to 17 patients (M/F 14/3) affected by splenic flexure cancer. In all patients, the procedure was completed by laparoscopy. The anastomosis was completed intra-corporeally in 89% of cases. The distal margin was 3.1 ± 2.6 cm and the proximal margin was 6.5 ± 3.3 cm from the tumor site. The number of mean harvested nodes was 13.9 ± 7. The mean operative time was 215.5 ± 65 min, and blood loss was 80 ± 27. In one case, a laparoscopic partial gastrectomy was associated due to tumor invasion. The mean post-operative stay was 6.7 ± 3.3 days. Readmission was necessary for two patients. No major morbidity was recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the wide spread and increasing confidence in laparoscopic colectomy, SF resection remains one of the most challenging procedures in colorectal surgery with a complex learning curve. SF resection with CME and CVL is feasible and safe for the treatment of early-stage and locally advanced SF cancer.