Project description:AimThe purpose was to clarify the oncological outcomes of rectal cancer (RC) with lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM) on high-resolution MRI (HRMRI), considering preoperative treatments.MethodsTwo hundred and twelve patients, from 13 hospitals, diagnosed with RC with lateral lymph node dissection (LLND), between 2017 and 2019, were prospectively registered. LLNM was defined as a short-axis size ≥5 mm. Ultimately, this study included 102 patients. Upfront surgery (Upfront), chemoradiotherapy (CRT), and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) were performed at each institution's discretion.ResultsSixty-six (64.7%) had mesorectal fascia (MRF) involvement, 35 (34.3%) had extramural venous invasion, and 33 (32.4%) had bilateral LLNMs. A positive radial margin (RM1) was observed in nine patients (8.8%), and 35 (34.3%) had pathological LLNM (pLLNM). Overall, 3-year relapse-free survival (3yRFS) and local recurrence-free survival (3yLRFS) were 69.6% and 92.9%. Upfront 3yRFS (N = 54), CRT (N = 23) and NAC (N = 25) constituted 62.9%, 82.6%, and 72.0%; 3yLRFS was 92.4%, 100%, and 88.0%. RM1 and pLLNM were significantly associated with LRFS (RM0 vs. RM1, 3yLRFS 96.7% vs. 50.0%; pLLNM negative vs. positive, 97.0% vs. 84.7%). 3yRFS Upfront non-MRF (N = 21), post CRT non-MRF (N = 15), and post NAC non-MRF (N = 14) were 61.9%, 86.7%, and 100%; 3yLRFS was 90.2%, 100%, and 100%.ConclusionsGood local control of Upfront LLND for RC with LLNM was shown, but multidisciplinary treatments were required. CRT followed by surgery was preferable for RC with LLNM, but a radiation-sparing strategy is promising for post NAC non-MRF.
Project description:Different surgical approaches have been reported in the management of lateral pelvic lymph node dissection (LPND) including open, laparoscopic and robotic. Since the introduction of Da Vinci robotic system in the early 2000s. It has been useful for more meticulous dissection of deep and narrow spaces and easier to gain access. In this article we describe our approach using the Da Vinci Xi robotic system in LPND and with a supplementary video.
Project description:BackgroundTotal mesorectal excision (TME) and lateral lymph node dissection (LLND) without radiotherapy (RT) are standard treatment for lower cT3/4 rectal cancers in Eastern countries. In comparative studies, both TME + LLND and RT + TME yield good local control. Although Japanese guidelines recommend LLND for locally advanced rectal cancers below the peritoneal reflection, LLND dissection of clinically negative lateral pelvic lymph nodes (LPLN) is controversial, and laparoscopic TME + LLND is technically challenging and time-consuming. New optical instruments for laparoscopy allow easy perioperative sentinel lymph node (SLN) identification using ICG. The SLN concept may facilitate accurate diagnosis of LPLN involvement, and thus reduce LLND in laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery. Here we investigated lateral pelvic SLN navigation surgery for SLN detection during laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery.MethodsThis study included 21 patients with clinical StageII/III lower rectal cancer without LPLN enlargement, who underwent curative laparoscopic surgery. All patients underwent TME, followed by lateral SLN identification and biopsy using ICG, and then laparoscopic LLND. ICG fluorescence imaging was conducted using the laparoscopic near-infrared camera system.ResultsLateral SLNs were successfully identified in 16 (76.2%) of the 21 patients. Among the 15 patients without SLN tumor metastasis, the dissected lateral non-SLNs were all negative.ConclusionsA lack of metastasis in the lateral pelvic SLN seems to reflect a lack of metastases to all lateral LNs. Our present results suggest that this laparoscopic ICG-guided SLN strategy may be a low-risk and time-saving method to prevent laparoscopic LLND in cases with negative lateral pelvic lymph nodes.
Project description:BackgroundLLNM can occur in mid-low rectal cancer, but LLND in patients with rectal cancer presents certain challenges. Recent years have seen the progressive application of ICG fluorescence imaging technology in colorectal surgery. This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of ICG-guided laparoscopic LLND for rectal cancer.MethodsWe applied ICG-guided laparoscopic lateral lymph node dissection in 11 patients diagnosed as rectal cancer with lateral lymph node metastasis.ResultsAll 11 patients in this group successfully completed ICG-guided laparoscopic LLND for rectal cancer with good lateral lymph node imaging.ConclusionsICG-guided laparoscopic LLND for rectal cancer is safe and represents a feasible solution, thereby providing valuable guidance for intraoperative lymph node dissection.
Project description:ImportanceRectal cancers occupy the eighth position worldwide for new cases and deaths for both men and women. These cancers have a high tendency to form metastases in the mesorectum but also in the lateral lymph nodes. The therapeutic approach for the involved lateral lymph nodes remains controversial.ObjectiveWe performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the prevalence of metastatic lateral lymph nodes in patients with lateral lymph node dissection (LLND) for rectal cancer, which seems to be a fundamental and necessary criterion to discuss any possible indications for LLND.MethodsData sources-study selection-data extraction and synthesis-main outcome and measures. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and COCHRANE from November 1, 2018, to November 19, 2018, for studies reporting the presence of metastatic lateral lymph nodes (iliac, obturator and middle sacral nodes) among patients undergoing rectal surgery with LLND. Pooled prevalence values were obtained by random effects models, and the robustness was tested by leave-one-out sensitivity analyses. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Q-test, quantified based on the I2 value and explored by subgroup analyses.ResultsOur final analysis included 31 studies from Asian countries, comprising 7599 patients. The pooled prevalence of metastatic lateral lymph nodes was 17.3% (95% CI: 14.6-20.5). The inter-study variability (heterogeneity) was high (I2 = 89%). The pooled prevalence was, however, robust and varied between 16.6% and 17.9% according to leave-one-out sensitivity analysis. The pooled prevalence of metastatic lymph nodes was not significantly different when pooling only studies including patients who received neoadjuvant treatment or those without neoadjuvant treatment (p = 0.44). Meta-regression showed that the pooled prevalence was associated with the sample size of studies (p < 0.05), as the prevalence decreased when the sample size increased.ConclusionThe pooled prevalence of metastatic lateral lymph nodes was 17.3% among patients who underwent rectal surgery with LLND in Asian countries. Further studies are necessary to determine whether this finding could impact the therapeutic strategy (total mesorectal excision with LLND versus total mesorectal excision with neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy).
Project description:BackgroundThe effectiveness of prophylactic lateral lymph node dissection (LLND) in treating patients with lower rectal cancer remains controversial and has not been clearly established. Therefore, we aimed to retrospectively analyze the survival impact of prophylactic LLND in patients with lower rectal cancer.MethodsData of 301 patients with lower rectal cancer (tumor's lower edge on the anal side of the peritoneal reflexion) with clinical T3 disease and negative preoperative lateral lymph node metastasis, who underwent radical resection (R0) at our hospital between April 2007 and March 2017, were included in this study. Patients who received preoperative chemotherapy or radiotherapy were excluded. The relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were compared between the dissection (prophylactic LLND, n = 37) and non-dissection (no prophylactic LLND, n = 264) groups.ResultsSignificantly fewer men and younger patients were noted in the dissection group than in the non-dissection group. Post-surgery 3- and 5-year RFS rates were 69.6% and 66.8% in the dissection group and 75.1% and 72.5% in the non-dissection group, respectively (5-year post-surgery RFS, p = 0.58). In the dissection and non-dissection groups, the 5-year OS rates were 86.5% and 79.7%, respectively (p = 0.29), and the 5-year cancer-specific survival rates were 88.9% and 86.0%, respectively (p = 0.29), with no significant differences. Lateral lymph node recurrence was observed in one (2.7%) and 10 patients (3.8%) in the dissection and non-dissection groups, respectively, and there was no significant difference between the groups.ConclusionsIn this study, the effectiveness of prophylactic LLND was limited in patients with > T3 lower rectal cancer with no evidence of preoperative lymph node metastasis. Prophylactic LLND may not be necessary if there is no preoperative lymph node metastasis, even if the invasion depth is T3 or higher.
Project description:PurposeWe have evaluated lateral pelvic lymph node dissection (LPLND) in combination with rectal resection in the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer in a specialized colorectal surgical department with a focus on safety and feasibility.MethodsThe study analyzed surgical-pathologic outcomes in 17 consecutive patients who underwent robotic LPLND and rectal resection between May 2018 and June 2024 at a high-volume colorectal cancer center in Denmark. Patients were selected for the procedure based on lateral lymph node (LLN) diameter ≥ 8 mm before and ≥ 5 mm after neoadjuvant treatment.ResultsOut of 17 patients (15 men and 2 females) included in this study, 13 patients (76%) had undergone neoadjuvant therapy. The median age was 63 years (range 35-79) with a median BMI of 25.6 kg/m2 (range 19.4-34.5). The total median operation time was 335 min (range 182-526 min) with no conversions necessary. Additional resection of structures beyond the total mesorectal excision plane was performed in eight patients (47%). The median hospital stay was 4 days (range 2-14) and one patient was readmitted within 30 days. Seven patients experienced postoperative complications within 30 days, with only one CD complication ≥ grade 3. The median number of resected LLNs was 4 (range 0-11) per patient and malignant LLNs were verified in three patients (17.6%).ConclusionThis study shows that simultaneous robot-assisted LPLND and rectal resection can be performed safely and effectively in selected patients with locally advanced rectal cancer, with a short hospital stay and few readmissions and postoperative complications.
Project description:Robotic assisted laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) has shorter hospitalizations and less morbidity compared to open RPLND. We describe and demonstrate with video the first report of outpatient robotic RPLND.