Purpose: Single-access laparoscopic surgery was first introduced for colectomy and later adapted for anterior resection. During single-access laparoscopic pelvic procedures, such as total mesorectal excision, it is often difficult to obtain an adequate operative field. By suspending the rectum vertically, we were able to execute a total mesorectal excision with single-access laparoscopy. We describe here the use of this new procedure to treat rectal cancer.
Methods: The selected 7 patients (1 male and 6 female) with stage II or III rectal cancer underwent the procedure. Single-port access to the abdomen was provided by a 3.0-cm incision at the right iliac fossa. The descending mesocolon was dissected by use of a medial approach, and a columnar magnet was placed on the surface of the abdominal wall to restore triangulation. The inferior mesenteric artery was skeletonized and the superior rectal artery divided during lymph node dissection. The total mesorectal excision extended to the pelvic floor and the rectum was vertically retracted with a suspending bar in collaboration with an extracorporeal magnet tool. The rectum was then transected below the reflection of the peritoneum. Intracorporeal anastomosis was performed with the double-stapling technique. Two pelvic drains were inserted through the single incision and the anus, respectively, for all patients. A defunctioning ileostomy was not created in any patient.
Results: Median total surgical time was 205 minutes (range, 175-245 min). Intraoperative blood loss was minimal in all patients (range, 1-20 mL). None of the cases required conversion to open surgery or addition of a second port. The only preoperative or postoperative complication occurred in one patient with clinical anastomotic leakage.
Conclusion: Low anterior single-access laparoscopic resection seems safe and feasible when the rectum is suspended like a swing to ensure an adequate operative field.