Navigation-Assisted Surgery for Locally Advanced Primary and Recurrent Rectal Cancer

Surgical navigation for lateral pelvic lymph node dissection in rectal cancer

Lateral pelvic lymph node dissection (LPLND) provides oncologic benefits in patients with rectal cancer who have enlarged lateral nodes. However, anatomical complexity in the lateral pelvis makes the procedure technically challenging,  which may lead to  increased intraoperative blood loss, prolonged operative time, postoperative complications and incomplete lymph node dissection. To address such technical  challenges, various surgical navigation tools have been developed. In this up-to-date narrative review, we summarize the current evidence on surgical navigation for LPLND and discuss their advantages,  limitations and future perspectives.

Stereotactic Navigation-Assisted Laparoscopic Resection of Challenging Low Pelvic Tumors: A Case Series

(1) Introduction: The laparoscopic approach to low pelvic tumors is challenging and hindered by suboptimal tumor visualization and dissection, with possible oncological failure. Stereotactic navigation provides real-time image guidance that may optimize safety, accuracy, and precision when dissecting challenging low pelvic tumors. (2) Methods: Preoperative CT images were acquired with eight skin-fixed fiducials and loaded into a navigation system. A patient tracker was mounted on the bed side. Patient-to-image paired point registration was performed, and an instrument tracker was mounted on a laparoscopic instrument and calibrated for instrument tracking. Surgical operations were performed with real-time stereotactic navigation assistance. (3) Results: Three patients underwent stereotactic navigation surgery. Fiducial registration errors were good to optimal (±1.9, ±3.4, and ±3.4 mm). Lesions were easily identified and targeted with real-time navigation. Surgeries were uneventful. Histopathology examinations identified one retro-rectal schwannoma, one lateral pelvic recurrence from rectal adenocarcinoma, and one advanced anal canal carcinoma. No navigation-related complications, readmissions, or postoperative mortalities were observed. (4) Conclusions: The application of laparoscopic stereotactic navigation surgery to complex low pelvic tumors is feasible and could impact oncological surgical quality by enabling tumor targeting and ensuring resection margins. Further wider series are needed to confirm stereotactic navigation's impact on challenging low pelvic tumors.