Comparison of laparoscopic versus open complete mesocolic excision for right colon cancer

Aim: To explore the feasibility, safety, efficacy, and short-term oncologic outcomes of laparoscopicassisted complete mesocolic excision (CME) for right colon cancer. Methods: The clinical data from 102 patients with right colon cancer who underwent laparoscopic CME (n = 53; LS group) and open CME (n = 49; OS group) from June 2012 to December 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Outcomes of the two groups were compared. Results: There were no conversions to open surgery in the LS group. The operative time in the LS group was similar to that in the OS group (194 +/- 57 vs. 177 +/- 51 min, respectively, p = 0.118). Intraoperative blood loss was significantly less in the LS group compared with the OS group (94 +/- 56 vs. 118 +/- 60 ml, respectively, p = 0.039). There was no difference in the total number of harvested lymph nodes (14 +/- 6 vs. 13 +/- 5, respectively, p = 0.313). The time to resume liquid diet (3 +/- 2 vs. 5 +/- 2 d, p < 0.001) and length of hospital stay (11 +/- 4 vs. 14 +/- 6 d, p = 0.002) were significantly shorter in the LS group. The rate of complications was similar between the groups (4% vs. 12%, respectively, p = 0.222). No recurrences were noted in either group during follow-up (range, 6-24 months). Conclusion: Laparoscopic CME is a safe, feasible, and effective minimally invasive procedure for right colon cancer. (C) 2015 IJS Publishing Group Limited. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.