Abstract

Background: Laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision (CME) has more lymph nodes resected than traditional laparoscopic colectomy. The laparoscopic CME has not been extensively described as a safe strategy. Objective: Evaluate clinical characteristics and preliminary results of laparoscopic CME in colon cancer. Methods: A prospective study included 22 patients at the Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital and Hue Central Hospital from May 2021 to May 2022. Results: Mean age was 63.6 ± 14.1, and males accounted for 54.5%. ASA 1 accounted for the majority, with a rate of 77.3%. 45.5% of patients with middle and high nutritional risk. The sigmoid colon accounts for the most with 40.9%. The prevalence of splenic flexure colon, the same transverse colon location was a minor proportion at 4.5%. The sigmoidectomy and sigmoidectomy + a part of upper third rectal resection accounted for 40.9%. The mean (range) of the length of hospital stay was 7.3 ± 1.5 days. The specimen length, mesentery width, and lymph nodes average were 31.2 ± 8.2 cm, 9.3 ± 1.7 cm, and 62.2 ± 18.6, respectively. The average tumor size was 4.9 ± 1.6 cm. The analytical plane achieved 86.4% of the complete mesenteric plane. AJCC 8th Stage I after surgery accounted for 40.9%, followed by stages IIIb, and IIa with 31.8% and 18.2%, respectively. Only three patients had complications of surgical site infection, accounting for 13.6%, and one patient with abdominal subcutaneous emphysema + urinary retention accounted for 4.5%. Conclusion: preliminary results of laparoscopic CME colectomy are feasible, safe, and reliable with maximal lymph node retrieval.