Short- and Long-Term Outcomes of Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery for Right-Side Colon Cancer

Introduction: Currently, there is limited data regarding the long-term outcomes of single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) for colon cancer. Therefore, we investigated both the short- and long-term outcomes of SILS for right-sided colon cancer. Methods: We retrospectively compared the short- and long-term outcomes of SILS and conventional laparoscopic surgery (CLS) for right-sided colon cancer (specifically the cecum and ascending colon) in our institution. Inter-group differences of short-term outcomes were evaluated using the chi-squared or Fisher exact test and two-sample Student’s t-test. The disease-free survival rates (long-term outcome) of stage 0 to III patients were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method and compared using log-rank tests. Results: There were 290 operations conducted for right-sided (cecum and ascending color) colorectal cancers between April 2011 and July 2018. Twelve patients underwent planned laparotomy. Of the remaining 278 patients, 55 underwent planned conventional laparoscopic surgery, 27 patients had planned reduced poet surgery (RPS), and 196 patients had planned SILS. The procedures had been selected by skilled surgeons. One patient underwent intraoperative conversion from SILS to laparotomy for bleeding control. In addition, one port was added to SILS in three cases. These four cases were included in the analysis as the SILS group, according to the principle of intent to treat. Background factors, including age, sex, body mass index, performance status, and tumor stage were not statistically different between the SILS and CLS groups. In the short-term outcomes, the number of harvested lymph-nodes was not statistically different. SILS required less operating time (P<0.001) and resulted in a reduced bleeding volume (P<0.001). There was no statistical difference in the frequency of overall complications (P=0.06). The disease-free survival of stage 0 to III patients was not statistically different between the two groups. Conclusions: Skilled surgeons can achieve adequate oncologic long-term outcomes in selected subgroups of SILS patients. Therefore, SILS could be a treatment option for right-sided colon cancer.

Robotic Surgery Contributes To The Preservation of Bowel and Urinary Function After Total Mesorectal Excison: Comparisons With Transanal and Conventional Laparoscopic Surgery

Background Determine whether robotic surgery is more effective than transanal and conventional laparoscopic surgery in preserving bowel and urinary function after total mesorectal excision (TME). Methods Of 79 lower rectal cancer patients who underwent function-preserving TME between 2016 and 2020, 64 patients consented to a prospective questionnaire-based functional observation study (52 responded). At six months post-resection or ileostomy closure, Wexner, low anterior resection syndrome (LARS), modified fecal incontinence quality of life, and international prostate symptom scores were used to evaluate bowel and urinary function, comparing robotic surgery (RTME) with transanal (taTME) or conventional laparoscopic surgery (LTME). Results RTME was performed in 35 patients (54.7%), taTME in 15 (23.4%), and LTME in 14 (21.9%). While preoperative bowel/urinary functions were similar in all three procedures, and the distance from the anal verge to tumor was almost the same, more hand-sewn anastomoses were performed and the anastomotic height from the anal verge was shorter in taTME than RTME. At 2 years post-resection, 8 patients (12.5%) had a permanent stoma; RTME showed a significantly lower rate of permanent stoma than taTME (2.9% vs 40%, p < 0.01). Despite no significant difference, all bowel function assessments were better in RTME than in taTME or LTME. Major LARS was observed in all taTME and LTME cases, but only 78.8% of RTME. No clear difference arose between RTME and taTME in urinary function; urinary dysfunction was more severe in LTME than RTME (36.4% vs 6.1%, p = 0.02). Conclusions In function-preserving TME for lower rectal cancer, robotic surgery was suggested to be more effective than transanal and conventional laparoscopic surgery in terms of bowel and urinary functions.

Short-term clinical and oncological outcomes after single-incision plus one-port laparoscopic surgery for rectosigmoid cancer: a retrospective clinical analysis of 30 cases

Objective To evaluate the safety and feasibility of single-incision laparoscopic surgery+1 (SILS+1) radical resection of sigmoid and upper rectal cancer. Methods The clinical data of 30 consecutive patients with sigmoid and upper rectal cancer who underwent SILS+1 radical resection between October 2018 and January 2020 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. An initial 5-cm periumbilical transverse incision was made. Then, a multiport device was placed in the umbilical incision. Two 10-mm ports were used for laparoscope insertion, and the other two ports were used for laparoscope device insertion. A 12-mm trocar was placed in the right lower abdominal quadrant under laparoscopic view and served as the surgeon’s dominant operating channel. Results All operations were performed successfully without conversion to conventional laparoscopic surgery or open operation. Three patients developed postoperative complications: one patient developed ileus, one developed postoperative bleeding, and one developed wound infection. There were no perioperative deaths. Conclusions The safety and feasibility of SILS+1 radical resection of sigmoid and upper rectal cancer was established by experienced surgeons in our study. However, further studies are needed to demonstrate the advantages of this procedure compared with the benefits of conventional laparoscopic surgery.

Reduction in postoperative complications by robotic surgery: a case–control study of robotic versus conventional laparoscopic surgery for gastric cancer

Background Robotic gastrectomy (RG) is being increasingly performed globally; it is considered an evolved type of conventional laparoscopic surgery with excellent dexterity and precision, but higher costs and longer operation time. Thus, there is a need to identify the benefits from RG and its specific candidates. Methods This retrospective study analyzed data from a prospectively collected clinical database at our center. Data of patients with primary gastric cancer undergoing either robotic or laparoscopic radical gastrectomy from June 2014 to June 2020 were reviewed. Surgical outcomes were compared between the two groups, and multivariable analyses were performed to elucidate the relevant factors for postoperative complications in several subgroups. Results A total of 1172 patients were divided into those who underwent RG (n = 152) and those who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) (n = 1020). Baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups, except the RG group included more patients undergoing total/proximal gastrectomy (TG/PG) and patients at clinical stage III. Compared with the LG group, the RG group had lower incidences of postoperative complications ≥ Clavien-Dindo grade III (2/152 (1.3%) versus 72/1020 (7.1%); P = 0.004), and intraabdominal complications ≥ grade II (6/152 (3.9%) versus 119/1020 (11.7%); P = 0.004). Multivariable analysis revealed that RG was a significant relevant factor for reducing overall postoperative complications (≥ grade III) (odds ratio (OR) 0.16, P = 0.013), and intraabdominal complications (≥ grade II) (OR 0.29, P = 0.002). Subgroup analyses demonstrated that this tendency was enhanced in patients undergoing TG/PG (OR 0.29, P = 0.021) or at clinical stage II/III (OR 0.10, P = 0.027). Conclusions RG reduces the incidence of postoperative complications compared with conventional LG and this tendency may be enhanced in technically complicated procedures with demanding anastomosis or D2 lymphadenectomy. Patients requiring such procedures would most benefit from RG.