Laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) for rectal cancer surgery: long-term outcomes

Background: Total mesorectal excision (TME) offers the lowest reported rates of local recurrence and the best survival results in patients with rectal cancer. However, the laparoscopic approach to resection for colorectal cancer remains controversial due to fears that oncologic principles will be compromised. We assessed the feasibility, safety and long-term outcome of laparoscopic rectal cancer resections following the principles of TME. The aim of this study was to evaluate the perioperative outcome and long-term results of laparoscopic TME. Methods: We reviewed the prospective database of 102 consecutive unselected patients undergoing laparoscopic TME for rectal cancer between November 1991 and December 2000. Follow-up was done through office charts or direct patient contact. Recurrence and survival curves were generated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Laparoscopic TME was completed successfully in 99 patients, whereas conversion to an open approach was required in three cases (3%). The overall morbidity and mortality rates were 27% and 2%, respectively, with an overall anastomotic leak rate of 17%. Of the 102 patients, four were excluded from the oncologic evaluation because final pathology was not confirmatory (two had anal canal squamous cell carcinoma and two had villous adenoma with dysplasia). In 90 of the 98 remaining patients (91.8%), the resection was considered curative. The remainder had a palliative resection due to synchronous metastatic disease or locally advanced disease. Mean follow-up was 36 months (range, 6–96). There were no trocar site recurrences. The local recurrence rate was 6%, and the cancer-specific survival of all curatively resected patients was 75% at 5 years. The overall survival rate of all curatively resected patients was 65% at 5 years; mean survival time was 6.23 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.39–7.07). Conclusion: Laparoscopic TME is feasible and safe. The laparoscopic approach to the surgical treatment of operable rectal cancer does not seem to entail any oncologic disadvantages. Presented at the annual meeting of the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), New York, NY, USA, 13–16 March 2002     

腹腔镜直肠癌直肠全系膜切除保肛手术的临床应用

目的 探索腹腔镜下行直肠癌直肠全系膜切除（TME）保肛手术的可行性。方法 对2年余住院的54例直肠癌患者文施在腹腔镜下行TME保肛于术。54例中51例在腹腔镜下完成手术，包括前切除14例，低位前切除（吻合门距离齿状线2．0cm以上）19例，超低位前切除（吻合口与齿状线的距离小于2．0cm）16例，结肠-肛管吻合（吻合口位于齿状线）2例。3例中转开腹；其中2例因Dukes C期肿瘤已浸润肠管周围，1例因骨盆狭小，肿瘤距肛缘7cm．腹腔镜下操作困难而中转开腹。结果 51例腹腔下TME的患者手术顺利。手术时间110～210（平均145）min；术中出血30～80（平均50）mL；术后48～36h恢复胃肠功能并下床活动，住院时间7～14（平均9）d。术后应用止痛剂20例。术中术后均无并发症发生．术后控便功能的恢复旧吻合口高低而存在差异．6个月后均恢复正常排便功能。51例术后均随访，随访时间为6～36个月。均尤操作孔种植和肿瘤复发。结论 腹腔镜直肠癌TME保肛手术安全可行，其创伤小、出血少、术后恢复快，是极具应用前景的微创新技术。     

Laparoscopic sphincter‐preserving total mesorectal excision: 10‐year report

Aim Total mesorectal excision (TME) is currently the gold standard for resection of mid or low rectal cancer and is associated with a low local recurrence rate. However, few studies have reported the long‐term oncological outcome following use of a laparoscopic approach. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long‐term oncological outcome after laparoscopic sphincter‐preserving TME with a median follow up of about 4 years. Method Patients with mid or low rectal cancer who underwent laparoscopic sphincter‐preserving TME with curative intent between March 1999 and March 2009 were prospectively recruited for analysis. Results During the 10‐year study period, 177 patients underwent laparoscopic sphincter‐preserving TME with curative intent for rectal cancer. Conversion was required in two (1%) patients. There was no operative mortality. At a median follow‐up period of 49 months, local recurrence had occurred in nine (5.1%) patients. The overall metastatic recurrence rate after curative resection was 22%. The overall 5‐year survival and 5‐year disease‐free survival in the present study were 74% and 71%, respectively. Conclusion The results of this study show that laparoscopic sphincter‐preserving TME is safe with long‐term oncological outcomes comparable to those of open surgery.     

Laparoscopic sphincter-preserving total mesorectal excision with colonic J-pouch reconstruction: five-year results

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively evaluate the oncologic and functional outcomes of laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) with colonic J-pouch reconstruction. BACKGROUND: TME is considered the established gold standard in rectal cancer surgery. However, data on laparoscopic sphincter-preserving TME are limited. METHODS: Patients with mid or low rectal cancer underwent laparoscopic TME with colonic J-pouch reconstruction by a single surgical team. Clinical and oncologic data were prospectively recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: From March 1999 to September 2004, 105 patients underwent laparoscopic TME with colonic J-pouch reconstruction. The mean operating time was 170.4 minutes and mean blood loss was 91.5 mL. The mean anastomotic distance from the anal verge was 3.9 cm. Conversion was required in 2 cases. The mean circumferential and distal margins were 17.1 mm and 3.4 cm, respectively. There was 1 case of microscopic circumferential margin involvement and 1 case of microscopic distal margin involvement. There was no 30-day mortality, and 6 patients underwent reoperation for major complications. There was no port-site metastasis. The mean follow-up time was 26.9 months (range, 1.3-65.6 months). The actuarial 5-year cancer-specific survival and local recurrence rates were 81.3% and 8.9%, respectively. Erectile dysfunction occurred in 13.6% of males, while 2 patients developed incomplete bladder denervation. Bowel function after ileostomy closure was satisfactory, with an average bowel motion of less than 3 times per day at 2 years after ileostomy closure. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic TME with colonic J-pouch reconstruction is a safe procedure with reasonable operating time and does not appear to pose any threat to the oncologic and functional outcomes.     

Influence of learning curve on short-term results after laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer

Background  Technical difficulties have been encountered in laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of rectal cancer. There are fewer studies about the learning curve for laparoscopic rectal resection. Methods  Between June 1995 and August 2007, 200 patients who were scheduled to undergo laparoscopic rectal resection for rectal cancer were enrolled in the study. Each surgeon’s operative experience was divided into three groups: 1–20 cases, 21–40 cases, and 41 or more cases. Furthermore, patients were divided chronologically into four groups of 50 patients each. This report describes the association between the learning curves (surgeon’s experience and team’s experience) and short-term outcomes such as operating time, complication rate, and hospital stay in the case of laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer. We also analyzed how the learning curve influences several postoperative outcomes compared with other clinical factors. Results  The team’s experience was not associated with short-term results except for surgical site infection (SSI). On the other hand, surgeon’s experience was associated with mean operating time and SSI rate. The endpoints of the learning curve for reducing mean operating time and SSI rate were defined as 40 and 20 cases of laparoscopic rectal resection. In contrast, anastomotic leakage was not associated with surgeon’s experience and showed the greatest correlation with total mesorectal excision (TME). Conclusion  Surgeon’s learning improved operating time and SSI. On the other hand, low level of anastomosis accompanied with TME was strongly related with leakage, and the association between leakage and surgeon’s learning was not clearly demonstrated.     

Prognostic factors affecting oncologic outcomes in patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer: impact of patterns of pelvic recurrence on curative resection

Background  The purpose of this study is to investigate prognostic factors affecting oncologic outcomes in patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer and determine whether recurrence patterns influence curative resection of recurrent tumor. Materials and methods  We examined 62 patients with isolated local recurrence following total mesorectal excision (TME) of the primary rectal cancer. Recurrence patterns were classified as central, anterior, posterior, lateral, and perineal with respect to the intra-pelvic tumor location. Prognostic factors affecting oncologic outcomes were analyzed, and the rate of curative resection was analyzed according to recurrence patterns. Results  The mean follow-up period was 49.0 ± 29.0 months, and the mean time to recurrence after TME was 27.9 ± 23.3 months. Twenty-three patients underwent curative resection, and the remaining 39 patients received palliative treatment. Patients with a central recurrence had the highest rate of curative resection (p = 0.006). The overall 5-year survival rate was 13.9% and significantly higher in those treated with curative resection (35.1%; p = 0.0002). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that disease-free survival less than 1 year and curative resection of local recurrence were independent prognostic factors influencing 5-year survival. Conclusion  Patients with central recurrences have a high probability of curative resection. Disease-free survival less than 1 year and curative resection of local recurrence were independent prognostic factors affecting oncologic outcomes in patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer.     

Laparoscopic total mesorectal excision can be performed on a nonselective basis in patients with rectal cancer with excellent medium‐term results

Aim Concerns exist regarding laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery due to increased rates of open conversion, complications and circumferential resection margin positivity. This study reports medium‐term results from consecutive unselected cases in a single surgeon series. Method The results of laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) for rectal cancer over a 9‐year period within the context of an evolving ‘enhanced recovery protocol’ (ERP) were reviewed from analysis of a prospectively maintained database. Results One hundred and fifty patients (91 male, median age 69 years, median BMI 26) underwent laparoscopic TME over 9 years. Median follow up was 28.5 months (range 0–88). Sixteen (10.6%) patients underwent neoadjuvant radiotherapy. Six (4.0%) required open conversion and 13 (9.0%) had an anastomotic leakage. The proportion of Dukes stages were: A, 33.3%; B, 30.7%; C, 31.3%; D, 4.7%. Five (3.3%) patients had an R1 and one an R2 resection. Median length of postoperative stay was 6 days. Three (2.0%) patients died within 30 days. Four (2.7%) developed local recurrence and 14 (9.3%) developed distant metastases. Predicted 5‐year disease‐free and overall survival rates by Kaplan–Meier analysis were 85.8% and 78.7%, respectively. Conclusion Laparoscopic TME surgery can safely be offered to unselected patients with rectal cancer with excellent medium‐term results.     

Laparoscopic repair of rectal prolapse

Background: There have been few large series that have focused on the feasibility of the laparoscopic approach for rectal prolapse. This single-institution study prospectively examines the surgical outcome and changes in symptoms and bowel function following the laparoscopic repair of rectal prolapse. Methods: In a selected group of 34 patients (total prolapse, 28; intussusception, six), 17 patients underwent laparoscopic-assisted resection rectopexy and 17 patients received a laparoscopic sutured rectopexy. Preoperative and postoperative evaluation at 3, 6, and 12 months included assessment of the severity of anal incontinence, constipation, changes in constipation-related symptoms, and colonic transit time. Results: Median operation time was 255 min (range, 180–360) in the resection rectopexy group and 150 min (range, 90–295) in the rectopexy alone group. Median postoperative hospital stay was 5 days (range, 3–15) and median time off work was 14 days (range, 12–21) in both groups. There were no deaths. Postoperative morbidity was 24%. Incontinence improved significantly regardless of which method was used. The main determinant of constipation was excessive straining at defecation. Constipation was cured in 70% of the patients in the rectopexy group and 64% in the resection rectopexy group. Symptoms of difficult evacuation improved, but the changes were significant only after resection rectopexy. Two patients (7%) developed recurrent total prolapse during a median follow-up of 2 years (range 12–60 months). Conclusions: Laparoscopic-sutured rectopexy and laparoscopic-assisted resection rectopexy are feasible and carry an acceptable morbidity rate. They eliminate prolapse and cure incontinence in the great majority of patients. Constipation and symptoms of difficult evacuation are alleviated. Received: 30 April 1999/Accepted: 8 July 1999/Online publication: 22 May 2000     

Safety of Laparoscopic Total Mesorectal Excision for Low Rectal Cancer with Preoperative Chemoradiation Therapy

Introduction  Total mesorectal excision (TME) with preoperative chemoradiation therapy is an accepted standard treatment for low rectal cancer. Although the laparoscopic approach is accepted for the treatment of colon cancer, its value for low rectal cancer is unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether preoperative chemoradiation therapy exerted an adverse influence on laparoscopic TME for low rectal cancer. Methods  We studied 125 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic TME for low rectal cancer. Twenty patients with preoperative chemoradiation therapy (CRT-Lap group) were compared with 105 patients without chemoradiation therapy (non-CRT-Lap group). Results  Operating time in the CRT-Lap group (276 min, range 160–390 min) was no different from that in the non-CRT-Lap group (263 min, range 143–456 min). The CRT-Lap group had more blood loss during the operation (70 vs. 37 ml), but mean blood loss was <100 ml. The distal tumor margin was longer in the CRT-Lap group (25.8 vs. 18.6 mm). The number of lymph node harvested did not differ between the groups (14.5 vs. 15.4). Conversion to open surgery was necessary only in one case in the non-CRT-Lap group. There was no anastomotic leakage in the CRT-Lap group, whereas three patients (3.1%) had anastomotic leakage in the non-CRT-Lap group. Conclusion  Laparoscopic TME with preoperative chemoradiation therapy is a safe procedure with reasonable operating time and does not appear to pose any threat to the surgical and oncologic outcomes.     

Technical and oncological feasibility of laparoscopic total mesorectal excision with pouch coloanal anastomosis for rectal cancer

Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the technical and oncological feasibility of laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) with coloanal anastomosis for mid and low rectal cancer. Methods During a 2‐year period, 50 patients underwent laparoscopic TME with coloanal anastomosis for rectal carcinoma located at a median of 4.5 (range 2–11) cm from the anal verge. Pre‐operative radiotherapy was used in 46 patients. Intersphincteric dissection was combined with the laparoscopic procedure to achieve sphincter preservation. Results Conversion to a laparotomy was necessary in six patients. Postoperative mortality and morbidity were 2% and 28%, respectively. Morbidity was lower in patients operated on during the second part of the study, who had extraction of the rectal specimen through a small laparotomy incision, than in those operated on during the first part of the study when removal of the specimen was by transanal extraction. Oncological quality of excision was safe in 44 patients with intact or almost intact rectal fascia in 88% and R0 resection in 90%. At a median follow‐up of 18 months, there was no local or port‐site recurrence. Conclusion This study confirms our preliminary results of oncological feasibility of laparoscopic TME with sphincter preservation for mid and low rectal cancer, and showed that morbidity can be decreased by using a standardized surgical procedure.     

腹腔镜全直肠系膜切除保肛治疗低位直肠癌

目的：探索腹腔镜全直肠系膜切除（TME）低位、超低位前切除治疗低位直肠癌的可行性。方法：按TME原则、用双钉合技术（DST）,在腹腔镜下对62例低位直肠癌患者实施TME、DST低位、超低位结肠-肛肠吻合术。结果：手术时间11-210min,平均125min;术中出血5-80ml,平均20ml;术后1-2d恢复胃肠功能并下床活动,住院时间5-14d,平均8d。1例患者因凝血障碍中转开腹,其他61例患者手术顺利。术后疼痛剂应用28例,除1例吻合口漏、1例尿潴留外,其余患者未见术中及术后并发症。结论：腹腔镜TME、低位、超低位吻合术治疗低位直肠癌,创伤小、保肛率高、术后疼痛轻、恢复快,是极具应用前景的微创新技术。     

Results of a multicenter study of 1,057 cases of rectal cancer treated by laparoscopic surgery

Background  The aim of this study was to clarify the feasibility of laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer retrospectively in 28 centers throughout Japan. Methods  Between May 1994 and February 2006, 1,057 selected patients with rectal cancer underwent laparoscopic surgery. All the data regarding the patient details, and operative and postoperative outcome were collected retrospectively. Results  Mean follow-up was 30 months. Procedures included anterior resection in 938, abdominoperineal resection in 107, Hartmann’s procedure in 10, and others in two patients. Conversion to open procedures occurred in 77 patients (7.3%). Postoperative surgical complications developed in 235 patients (22.2%), including anastomotic leakage in 84 (9.1%). Median length of postoperative hospital stay was 15 days (7–271 days). Patients with upper rectal cancer had shorter hospital stay than those with lower rectal cancer (14 versus 18 days, p < 0.01). Tumor–node–metastases (TNM) stage included 83(7.9%) stage 0, 495 (46.8%) stage I, 197 (18.6%) stage II, 230 (21.8%) stage III, and 52 (4.9%) stage IV. Recurrence was developed in 67 patients (6.6%) of the 1,011 curatively treated patients. Local recurrence occurred in 11 patients (1.0%). There was no port-site metastasis. Of the 1,011 curatively treated patients, the 3-year disease-free survival rate was 100% in stage 0, 94.6% in stage I, 82.1% in stage II, and 79.7% in stage III. Conclusions  Laparoscopic surgery is feasible and safe in selected patients with rectal cancer, with favorable short-term and mid-term outcome.     

Total mesorectal excision: a comparison of oncological and functional outcomes between robotic and laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer

Background

Long-term data from the CLASICC study demonstrated the oncologic equivalence of laparoscopic and open rectal cancer surgery despite an increased circumferential resection margin involvement in the laparoscopic group in the initial report. Moreover, laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) may be associated with increased rates of male sexual dysfunction compared to conventional open TME. Robotic surgery could potentially obtain better results than laparoscopy. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and functional outcomes of robotic and laparoscopic surgery in a single-center experience.

Methods

This study was based on 100 patients who underwent minimally invasive anterior rectal resection with TME. Fifty consecutive robotic rectal anterior resections with TME (R-TME) were compared to the first 50 consecutive laparoscopic rectal resections with TME (L-TME).

Results

Median operative time was 270 min in R-TME and 275 min in L-TME. No conversions occurred in the R-TME group whereas six conversions occurred in the L-TME group. The mean number of harvested lymph nodes was 16.5 ± 7.1 for R-TME and 13.8 ± 6.7 for L-TME. The circumferential margin (CRM) was <2 mm in six L-TME patients, whereas no one in R-TME group had a CRM <2 mm. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) scores were significantly increased 1 month after surgery in both the L-TME and R-TME groups, but they normalized 1 year after surgery. Erectile function worsened significantly 1 month after surgery in both the groups but it was restored completely 1 year after surgery in the R-TME group and partially in the L-TME group.

Conclusions

Robotic TME is oncologically safe and adequate for rectal cancer treatment, showing better results than laparoscopic TME in terms of CRM, conversions, and hospital length of stay. Better recovery in voiding and sexual function is achieved with the robotic technique.     

腹腔镜全系膜切除术联合经肛门内括约肌切除术治疗超低位直肠癌42例

目的探讨腹腔镜全系膜切除术（TME）联合经肛门内括约肌切除保肛术（ISR）治疗超低位直肠癌的临床疗效。方法选择2009年1月至2012年6月42例超低位直肠癌患者采用腹腔镜TME联合ISR术治疗。按TME原则完全游离切除直肠后,经肛门内括约肌切除,完成超低位直肠癌保肛手术。对患者的临床资料、术后并发症及随访结果进行分析。结果42例患者均顺利完成手术,无中转开腹或者改行Mile’s术式,13例行回肠预防性造口,2例发生吻合口瘘,经保守治疗治愈。所有患者术后肛门括约肌功能比较满意,无围手术期死亡。随访9-40个月,1例于术后15个月发生肝脏多发转移再次入院进一步治疗。结论对于术前评估早中期超低位直肠癌,特别是肿瘤没有侵犯肛门内括约肌,采用腹腔镜TME联合IRS术是安全可行的,提高了保肛成功率,提高患者术后生活质量且局部复发率低。     

腹腔镜全直肠系膜切除术联合经肛门内括约肌切除术治疗超低位直肠癌

目的探讨腹腔镜全系膜切除术（TME）联合经肛门内括约肌切除术（ISR）对超低位直肠癌的治疗效果。方法对接受腹腔镜TME联合经肛ISR手术的35例超低位直肠癌患者的临床和随访资料进行回顾性分析。结果35例患者肿瘤下缘距肛门2～5（平均3．4）cm;高、中分化腺癌32例,绒毛状腺瘤癌变3例;pTNMⅠ期16例,ⅡA期15例,ⅢA期3例,ⅢB期1例。术后末端回肠造口狭窄1例,吻合口瘘3例（均为未行末端回肠造E1者）。经4～49（中位时间16）个月的随访．1例患者出现吻合口复发．1例死于肝转移。随访满1年的19例患者术后1年排粪次数为1～4次／d．控便时间5min以上。结论腹腔镜TME联合经肛ISR治疗超低位直肠癌具有根治、保肛和微创的优点!侣廊进行严格的病例选择．     

Robotic total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer using four robotic arms

Background The da Vinci system is a newly developed device for colorectal surgery, therefore experience of its use for rectal cancer surgery is limited and there are no reports describing the use of four robotic arms with this system. The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the four-arm da Vinci system for total mesorectal excision in rectal cancer patients. Methods Clinicopathologic data were prospectively collected on nine patients who underwent robotic total mesorectal excision using four robotic arms for the treatment of mid or low rectal cancer between November 2006 and Febuary 2007. Patient demographics, perioperative clinical outcomes, and pathology results with macroscopic grading (complete, nearly complete, incomplete) were evaluated. Results nine patients with mid or low rectal cancer underwent robotic total mesorectal excison using four robotic arms without serious complications. The mean length of hospital stay was 7.4 ± 1.3 days (range 5.0–10.0 days) and the mean operating time was 220.8 ± 49.4 min (range 153–315 min). Macroscopic grading of the specimen was complete in eight patients and nearly complete in one patient. There were no cases of conversion. Conclusion In the present study, we accomplished nine robot-assisted rectal resections safely and effectively.     

腹腔镜下全直肠系膜加经内外括约肌间切除用于超低位直肠癌保肛手术

目的:探讨腹腔镜下全直肠系膜加经内外括约肌间切除术治疗超低位直肠癌的可行性及优势。方法:回顾分析2004年11月至2005年11月7例腹腔镜下全直肠系膜加经内外括约肌间切除治疗超低位直肠癌的临床资料。结果:本组7例术中出血量30~80m l,手术时间3.5~5h,无术中死亡病例,术后持续胃肠减压24h,术后24~48h开始饮食,术后3d拔除尿管下床活动,术后1~2d开始排便。术后住院7~10d。随访3~6个月,无局部复发。结论:腹腔镜下按全直肠系膜切除术(TME)要求游离直肠至盆底耻骨直肠肌水平,经肛门于齿状线水平切断直肠,再经肛门手工行结肠-肛管吻合的方法治疗超低位直肠癌,能够保证完整切除直肠系膜,术中减少出血,住院天数缩短,在降低手术难度、提高保肛率等方面有其优势。患者对本术式的耐受性较好。     

腹腔镜全直肠系膜切除术保肛治疗低位直肠癌

目的:探讨腹腔镜全直肠系膜切除术(total mesorectal excision,TME)行低位(超低位)直肠癌保肛治疗的方法与可行性。方法:按TME原则,用双吻合器技术在腹腔镜下对26例低位(超低位)直肠癌患者实行TME低位(超低位)结肠-直肠(肛管)吻合术。结果:手术均获成功,无中转开腹,手术时间180-240min,平均210min;术中出血30-100ml,平均70ml;术后2d恢复胃肠功能并下床活动;住院7-14d,平均8d,无严重并发症发生。结论:腹腔镜TME低位(超低位)吻合术保肛治疗低位直肠癌具有创伤小、并发症少、出血少、肠功能恢复快等优点,安全可行。     

腹腔镜与开腹全直肠系膜切除保肛术治疗低位直肠癌的对照研究及短期疗效分析

目的 探索应用腹腔镜技术实施全直肠系膜切除保肛术治疗低位直肠癌的可行性。方法将171例低位直肠癌患者(肿瘤下缘均位于齿状线以上1.5～7.0 cm内)随机选取82例行腹腔镜下全直肠系膜切除(TME)保肛术(腹腔镜组);另89例作为对照组在开腹条件下完成相同手术(开腹组)。结果 手术均获成功,保肛率100％。腹腔镜组和开腹组的平均手术时间分别为120 min和106 min(P>0.05),术中平均失血量分别为20ml和92ml(P<0.05)。两组术后镇痛和术后进食时间差异无显著性意义。腹腔镜组较开腹组术后并发症发生率低、胃肠功能恢复快、住院时间短(P<0.05)。腹腔镜组52例(63.4％)和开腹组59例(66.3％)患者在术后1个月内恢复控便能力;其余出现不同程度控便能力障碍(大便次数10～20次/d)的患者,经过药物治疗和括约肌功能训练,6个月后也逐渐实现了良好的控便。术后随访1～18个月,两组均无腹壁切口种植、局部复发以及死亡病例。结论 应用腹腔镜技术实施低位直肠癌TME保肛术安全可行,其创伤小、出血少、保肛率高、术后恢复快,是极具应用前景的微创新技术。     

Laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer: a prospective analysis of thirty-month follow-up outcomes in 312 patients

Background This study aimed to prospectively evaluate operative safety and mid-term oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic rectal cancer resection performed by a single surgeon. Methods Three hundreds twelve patients (male, 181) were enrolled in this analysis. 257 patients (82.4%) had tumors located below 12 cm from the anal verge. Distribution of TNM stages was 0:I:II:III:IV = 4.2%:17.9%:32.4%:37.2%:8.3%. 225 patients (71.1%) had T3/T4 lesions. Pre- and post-operative radiation was given in 6 and 20 patients, respectively. Results Sphincter-preserving operation was performed in 85.9%. Mean operating time was 212 minutes. Conversion rate was 2.6%. Overall morbidity rate was 21.1%. Anastomotic leakage occurred in 6.4%. Operative mortality rate was 0.3%. Mean number of harvested nodes was 23. Mean distal tumor-free margin was 2.8 cm. The circumferential resection margin was positive in 13 patients (4.2%). With a mean follow-up of 30 months in the stage I–III patients, the local recurrence rate was 2.9%. Systemic recurrence occurred in 11.7%. No port-site recurrence was observed. Conclusion Laparoscopic resection of rectal cancer provided safe operative parameters and adequate mid-term oncologic outcomes. When considering a high volume of advanced and low-lying cancers but rather narrow indication to radiotherapy, the 2.9% local recurrence rate seems promising data. Long-term follow-up is mandatory to draw conclusion.