Background: Single-incision laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision with central vascular ligation for descending colon cancer is technically challenging. Standardization of the surgical procedures is therefore needed.
Methods: In a Trendelenburg position with left side elevated, the sigmoid mesocolon is mobilized using a medial-to-lateral approach, and the left colic artery and inferior mesenteric vein (IMV) are divided after radical lymphadenectomy along the inferior mesenteric artery, preserving the superior rectal artery. The descending mesocolon is mobilized from the retroperitoneal planes up to the dorsal surface of the pancreas using medial and lateral approaches. Next, changing the surgical position to a reverse Trendelenburg position with left side elevated, the omental bursa is opened, and the transverse mesocolon is separated from the inferior border of the pancreas. The splenocolic ligament and lateral attachment are then divided, matching the previous medial dissection of the retroperitoneum, and the splenic flexure is fully mobilized. The IMV is divided again at the inferior border of the pancreas. The left branch of the middle colic artery is also divided.
Results: Forty-seven consecutive patients with DCC underwent single-incision laparoscopic CME with CVL. One patient required an additional port. Median operative time, blood loss, and number of harvested lymph nodes were 240 min (interquartile range [IQR], 195-257 min), 5 mL (IQR, 5-52 mL), and 21 (IQR, 13-29), respectively. Morbidity rate was 5.9%. Median duration of hospitalization was 9 days (IQR, 7-11 days).
Conclusions: Single-incision laparoscopic CME with CVL is safe and feasible for DCC.
Keywords: central vascular ligation; complete mesocolic excision; descending colon cancer; single-incision laparoscopic surgery.