Hand-assisted laparoscopic resection versus total laparoscopic gastric surgery for primary gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs): an analysis from a high-volume institution

Background

Laparoscopic resection of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) is technically feasible and associated with favorable outcomes. We compared the clinical efficacy of hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HLS) and total laparoscopic surgery (TLS) for gastric GISTs.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 69 consecutive patients diagnosed with a gastric GIST in a tertiary referral teaching hospital from December 2016 to December 2020. Surgical outcomes were compared between two groups.

Results

Fifty-three patients (TLS group: n = 36; HLS group: n = 17) were included. The mean age was 56.9 and 58.1 years in the TLS and HLS groups, respectively. The maximum tumor margin was significantly shorter in the HLS group than in the TLS group (2.3 ± 0.9. vs. 3.0 ± 0.8 cm; P = 0.004). The operative time of the HLS group was significantly shorter than that of the TLS group (70.6 ± 19.1 min vs. 134.4 ± 53.7 min; P < 0.001). The HLS group had less intraoperative blood loss, a shorter time to first flatus, and a shorter time to fluid diet than the TLS group (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found between the groups in the incidence or severity of complications within 30 days after surgery. Recurrence or metastasis occurred in four cases (HLS group; n = 1; TLS group; n = 3).

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that compared with TLS, HLS for gastric GISTs has the advantages of simpler operation, shorter operative time, and faster postoperative recovery.

[Analysis of short-term efficacy of overlapping delta-shaped anastomosis in totally laparoscopic left hemicolectomy for digestive tract reconstruction]

Objective: At present, though the laparoscopic delta-shaped anastomosis and overlapping delta-shaped anastomosis have been gradually applied to complete laparoscopic radical resection of left hemicolon cancer, the comparative evaluation of their efficacy has not been mentioned in the published literatures. This study aims to explore the safety, feasibility and short-term efficacy of overlapping delta-shaped anastomosis (ODA) in totally laparoscopic left hemicolectomy. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed. The clinical and pathological data of patients who underwent totally laparoscopic left hemicolectomy at Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College from May 2017 to October 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The case inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) age of 18-75 years; (2) body mass index (BMI) of 18.5-30 kg/m(2); (3) descending colonic and proximal sigmoid colonic adenocarcinoma was confirmed by preoperative colonoscopy and pathology. The exclusion criteria: (1) multiple primary colorectal cancers; (2) uncontrolled or poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, immune system diseases, or hematological diseases; (3) severe intestinal obstruction; (4) left transverse colonic or splenic flexure colonic adenocarcinoma; (5) distant metastasis of liver, lung and other viscera determined by enhanced computed tomography in the chest, abdomen and pelvis. According to the above criteria, a total of 115 patients with left hemicolon cancer were enrolled. All the patients underwent totally laparoscopic left hemicolectomy. Patients who underwent laparoscopic traditional delta-shaped anastomosis were selected as the control group. Patients who underwent laparoscopic ODA were selected as the ODA group. Effects of these two laparoscopic reconstruction methods on postoperative recovery and perioperative complications were analyzed and compared. Results: A total of 60 patients were enrolled in the ODA group, including 32 males and 28 females, with mean age of (57.3±10.4) years and body mass index (BMI) of (25.0±3.1) kg/m(2). While mean 55 patients were enrolled in the control group, including 31 males and 24 females, with mean age of (56.7±9.9) years and BMI of (24.4±2.9) kg/m(2). There was no statistically significant differences between the two groups in gender, age, BMI, American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) classification, TNM staging, preoperative abdominal surgery history, neoadjuvant chemotherapy and nutritional status (levels of hemoglobin, lymphocyte count, prealbumin, and albumin) (all P>0.05). All the patients in both groups received R0 resection without conversion to open laparotomy or conversion to extra-abdominal anastomosis. The digestive tract reconstruction time of the ODA group was significantly shorter than that of the control group [(15.1±1.7) minutes vs. (15.9±2.4) minutes, t=-2.053, P=0.042]. There were no statistically significant differences in the total operation time, intraoperative blood loss, length of skin incision, tumor size, proximal and distal margins, harvested lymph nodes, postoperative first ambulatory time, and postoperative hospital stay (all P>0.05). However, the time to the first flatus and the first defecation in the ODA group was significantly shorter as compared to control group [(1.5±0.5) days vs. (1.7±0.5) days, t=-2.028, P=0.045; (3.1±0.6) days vs. (3.4±0.7) days, t=-2.095, P=0.039], indicating faster intestinal function recovery in patients with ODA. The morbidity of postoperative complication was 6.7% (4/60) in the ODA group and 7.3% (4/55) in the control group and no significant difference was found (χ(2)=0.016, P=0.898). Two cases of incision infection, 1 case of lung infection, and 1 case of intra-abdominal infection occurred in the ODA group, while 3 cases of lung infection and 1 case of intra-abdominal infection occurred in the control group. All these complications were resolved after conservative treatment, and no secondary operation was performed due to complications. Conclusion: Compared with the traditional delta-shaped anastomosis, ODA is associated with a faster recovery of postoperative intestinal function without increasing the morbidity of postoperative complications, and has the satisfactory short-term efficacy.

[Laparoscopic circular stapled gastrointestinal anastomosis using novel device of sealed cap access after total laparoscopic gastrectomy]

Intracorporeal classic gastrointestinal anastomosis using circular stapler in totally laparoscopic gastrectomy (TLG) for gastric cancer requires intracorporeal anvil placement and suitable access for introduction of the circular stapler to the abdominal cavity without gas leak. The novel techniques for anvil placement have been updated, but there is no progress for proper access for circular stapler. In the study, intracorporeal circular-stapled gastrointestinal anastomosis were successfully accomplished using a novel device of sealed cap access with a central hole (WLB-60/70-60/100, Wuhan Widerep Medical Instrument Co.,Ltd, China) customized to the incision protection retractor for the simple and accessible introduction of the circular stapler and anvil under the optimal maintenance of pneumoperitoneum pressure in TLG. In these 3 cases, there was no gas leakage and the pneumoperitoneum was well maintained when performing the gastrointestinal anastomosis, and there was no transition to laparotomy or other anastomosis techniques. The result suggests that the sealed cap access could be a novel choice for introduction of the circular stapler to the abdominal cavity in order to obtain laparoscopic circular-stapled gastroin-testinal anastomosis in TLG.

[Short-term efficacy of totally laparoscopic left colon cancer radical resection with overlapped delta-shaped anastomosis technique]

Objective: To evaluate the safety, feasibility and short-term efficacy of totally laparoscopic left colectomy for left colon cancer by using overlapped delta-shaped anastomosis technique for digestive tract reconstruction. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to collect the clinical data of 86 patients with left colon cancer who underwent laparoscopic surgery in Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from October, 2017 to February, 2019. The patients were divided into totally laparoscopic left-sided colectomy (TLLC) (treatment group, n=25 cases) and laparoscopic-assisted left-sided colectomy (LALC) (control group, n=61 cases). The intraoperative and postoperative data were compared between the two groups. Results: There were no surgical-related deaths in both groups. All the patients in the TLLC group underwent laparoscopic resection, while one patient in the LALC group transfer to open surgery. The operation time in TLLC group and LALC group were (164.5±42.3) min and (171.0±43.1) min, respectively, without statistically significant difference (P=0.516). However, the intraoperative blood loss of patients in the TLLC group was (36.4±22.7) ml, which was significantly less than (52.9±32.2) ml in the LALC group (P=0.026). The anastomosis time in the TLLC group was (39.1±6.5) min, which was significantly longer than (24.9±5.4) min in the LALC group (P<0.001). Postoperative exhaust time in the TLLC group was (2.6±0.5) days, which was significantly shorter than (3.3±0.8) days in the LALC group (P<0.001). The incision length in the TLLC group was (4.2±2.2) cm, significantly shorter than (7.0±2.5) cm in the LALC group (P<0.001). The length of the resected bowel was (21.0±7.3) cm in the TLLC group, which was significantly longer than (17.5±5.4) cm in the LALC group (P=0.037). The length of hospital stay in the TLLC group was (6.2±1.9) days, which was significantly shorter than (7.9±1.5) days in the LALC group (P<0.001). The incidences of postoperative complications in the TLLC group and LALC group were 0 and 4.9% (3/61), respectively, without statistically significant (P=0.553). No anastomotic complications occurred in both groups. During the follow-up period, neither group of patients was hospitalized again, and no tumor metastasis or recurrence occurred. Conclusions: It is safe and feasible to apply the TLLC with overlapped delta-shaped anastomosis in patients with left colon cancer. It has better short-term effects such as shorter incisions, faster recovery, and shorter postoperative hospital stays, and is worthy of further promotion.

Total laparoscopic surgery for treatment of leiomyoma of the transverse colon in a patient with an abdominal mesh: A case report

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Leiomyomas of the colon are rare and account for 3% of gastrointestinal leiomyomas.

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The patient had an abdominal mesh from a prior surgery.

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Laparoscopic colectomy was used for treatment of leiomyoma of the transverse colon.

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Laparoscopic colectomy prevented damage to the abdominal mesh.

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Total laparoscopic surgery is a viable option in patients with abdominal mesh.

Introduction

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract; however, gastrointestinal leiomyomas are relatively rare. Surgical resection is recommended for leiomyomas and gastrointestinal stromal tumors of the colon. We present a case in which we performed laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with intraabdominal anastomosis for treating leiomyoma of the transverse colon in a patient with an abdominal mesh.

Presentation of case

A 64-year-old woman with a history of right subtotal adrenalectomy and right mastectomy was incidentally found to have an abdominal mass on a follow-up computed tomography (CT) scan, which was confirmed as a gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the mesentery following abdominal contrast-enhanced CT. We planned surgical resection for preoperative diagnosis because the tumor was >5 cm in diameter. However, she had undergone transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap reconstruction after right mastectomy, in which the TRAM flap was replaced with an abdominal mesh; hence, total laparoscopic surgery was performed to avoid damaging the mesh owing to the risk of mesh infection. Laparotomy revealed that the tumor originated from the transverse colon; thus, transverse colectomy with intraabdominal anastomosis was performed. The total operative time and blood loss were 3 h 32 min and 5 mL, respectively. No postoperative leakage or mesh infection was observed. The resected specimen revealed a leiomyoma without malignancy.

Discussion

We successfully performed colectomy that minimized the resection range and intraabdominal anastomosis.

Conclusion

Total laparoscopic surgery was effective for colonic leiomyoma with an abdominal mesh to avoid mesh-related complications.

[Clinical application of fusion indocyanine green fluorescence imaging in total laparoscopic radical resection for right colon cancer]

Objective: This study aims to explore the clinical value of fusion indocyanine green fluorescence imaging (FIGFI) in total laparoscopic radical resection for right colon cancer. Methods: From October, 2018 to December, 2018, 15 patients who underwent total laparoscopic radical resection for right colon cancer using FIGFI in Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Data regarding surgical outcomes, postoperative recovery, pathological outcomes and complications were collected and analyzed. Results: All patients successfully underwent total laparoscopic radical resection for right colon cancer using FIGFI. 1 patients (6.7%) received extended resection of bowel due to poor blood supply after mesentery excision. The average operation time was 133.7 minutes and intraoperative blood loss was 26.7 ml. The average time to ground activities, fluid diet intake, first flatus and postoperative hospitalization were 19.1 h, 11.7 h, 32.5 h and 5.0 d, respectively. The average length of tumor was 4.5 cm. The average proximal and distal resection margins were 14.9 cm and 12.1 cm, respectively. The average number of lymph nodes retrieved was 29.3 per patient. Only one patient suffered from incisional fat liquefaction after surgery and was managed effectively by regular dressing change. No severe complications such as indocyanine green allergy, anastomotic stenosis, anastomotic leakage, abdominal bleeding, bowel obstruction, pulmonary infection, and abdominal infection occurred in any patients. Conclusions: FIGFI is helpful to judge the blood supply of intestinal segments and anastomotic stoma in total laparoscopic radical resection for right colon cancer quickly. It is a safe and feasible technique with satisfactory short-term effect.

[The Short-term Analysis of Overlapped Delta-shaped Anastomosis in Total Laparoscopic Transverse Colectomy]

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the clinical safety, feasibility and short-term effect of overlapped delta-shaped anastomosis in total laparoscopic transverse colectomy. Methods: The records, which were based on China National Cancer Center, of 20 and 31 patients who underwent total laparoscopic transverse colectomy with overlapped delta-shaped anastomosis and laparoscopic-assisted transverse colectomy with conventional extracorporeal anastomosis, from March 2017 to May 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. Data regarding surgical outcomes, postoperative recovery, pathological outcomes and perioperative complications were collected and compared. Results: There was no difference between the two groups in overall operation time, anastomosis time and intraoperative blood loss (P>0.05), however, the length of incision was significantly shorter in overlapped delta-shaped group [(4.7±0.6) cm vs. (5.5±1.0) cm, P=0.002]. The time to ground activities, first flatus and postoperative hospitalization did not differ between the two groups (P>0.05). The postoperative visual analogue scale was lower in the overlapped delta-shaped group than the control group on postoperative day 1 (3.7±0.7 vs. 4.2±0.9, P=0.015) and postoperative day 3 (2.7±0.5 vs. 3.2±0.9, P=0.040). The perioperative complication rates were 10.0% and 12.9% in the overlapped delta-shaped group and the control group, respectively, and the difference was not significant (P=0.753). Conclusion: Compared to conventional extracorporeal anastomosis, total laparoscopic transverse colectomy with overlapped delta-shaped anastomosis was a safe and feasible procedure with satisfactory short-term effect, shorter incision and less postoperative pain.

[The short-term effect analysis of intracorporeal delta-shaped anastomosis in total laparoscopic left hemicolectomy]

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the clinical safety and feasibility of intracorporeal delta-shaped anastomosis in total laparoscopic left hemicolectomy. Methods: From January 1, 2017 to October 1, 2017, 11 patients who were diagnosed with left colon cancer and underwent total laparoscopic left hemicolectomy with intracorporeal delta-shaped anastomosis were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Clinicopathologic characteristics, surgical and postoperative outcomes were collected and analyzed. Results: The median operation time was 121.8 minutes and the median time for anastomosis was 14.9 minutes. The median intraoperative blood loss was 45.5 ml. The lengths of the upper and lower segments of resection from colon cancer were 11.4 cm and 8.5 cm, respectively. The median number of lymph nodes retrieved was 29.5. The median time to ground activities, time to flatus, time to fluid diet intake and length of hospital stay were 1.4 days, 3.0 days, 3.8 days and 6.9 days, respectively. Only one patient suffered from incision infection during his hospitalization due to preoperative long-term smoking history. No mobility related to the anastomosis such as anastomotic bleeding, stenosis, obstruction and leakage occurred in any patients. Conclusion: Total laparoscopic left hemicolectomy with intracorporeal delta-shaped anastomosis is a safe and feasible procedure with a satisfactory short-term effect.