Abstract

Introduction: Complete mesocolic excision (CME) consists in the dissection on embryologic planes in order to achieve a complete resection of the mesocolic envelope and performing a central vascular ligation (CVL) with a D3 lymphadenectomy which is not routinely done for standard right colectomies. CME has been associated with better overall survival and disease-free survival in comparison with conventional surgery in retrospective studies. However, there is no data on its implementation in Chile. The aim of this study is to assess the perioperative results of the implementation of CME in our center. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Consecutive patients undergoing a laparoscopic right hemico-lectomy with CME-CVL between January 2022 and June 2023 were included. Demographic, perioperative, postoperative and histopathological data were collected. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: During the study period, 34 patients underwent CME; 29 of them underwent laparoscopic CME-CVL (median age 66 (57-76) and 15 (52%) female). The median operating time was 202,9 minutes. There were no cases of conversion, anastomotic leakage or mortality. There was morbidity in 9 cases (31%) and one of these (3,4%) was a Clavien-Dindo III morbidity (reoperation due to a Pfannenstiel haematoma). There were no intraoperative vascular injuries. The median length of stay was 3 days. Twelve cases (41%) were stage II and 8(28%) stage III. The median number of lymph nodes harvested was 23(18-28). Conclusion: This series demonstrate that the implementation of laparoscopic CME-CVL for right and transverse colon cancer is feasible in centers with experience in advanced laparoscopic colorectal cancer. © 2024, Sociedad de Cirujanos de Chile. All rights reserved.