Inferior versus medial approach in laparoscopic colectomy with complete mesocolic excision and D3 lymphadenectomy for right-sided colon cancer: A propensity-score-matched analysis.

AIM

In laparoscopic colectomy with complete mesocolic excision and D3 lymphadenectomy for right-sided colon cancer, either an inferior approach (IA) or a medial approach (MA) is selected in our institution based on the surgeon's preference. The present study compared the treatment outcomes between IA and MA.

METHOD

This retrospective, single-centre study using propensity score matching analysed the short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic surgery in patients with right-sided colon cancer from 2010 to 2019 at Cancer Institute Hospital.

RESULTS

After patient selection, 1011 patients remained for the analysis, of which 67% underwent IA surgery and 33% underwent MA surgery. After propensity score matching (1:1), 325 patients in each group were analysed. Regarding the short-term outcomes, there were no significant differences in the operation time, rate of conversion to open surgery or postoperative complication rate (Clavien-Dindo Grade ≥ III) between the two groups, although the intra-operative median blood loss was significantly less in the IA group than in the MA group (IA, 13 ml vs. MA, 20 ml, P < 0.0001). Regarding the long-term outcomes, the relapse-free survival, liver-relapse-free survival, cancer-specific survival and overall survival were all similar between groups.

CONCLUSION

Both the IA and MA in laparoscopic colectomy with complete mesocolic excision and D3 lymphadenectomy for right-sided colon cancer are safe and feasible approaches; the IA may have an advantage over the MA in terms of reduced intra-operative blood loss. Based on their similar oncological outcomes, either the IA or MA can be selected, based on one's preference.