Published online Aug 14, 2018. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v24.i30.3440
Peer-review started: May 31, 2018
First decision: June 15, 2018
Revised: June 18, 2018
Accepted: June 30, 2018
Article in press: June 30, 2018
Published online: August 14, 2018
Processing time: 74 Days and 1.3 Hours
To introduce a novel, modified primary closure technique of laparoscopic extralevator abdominal perineal excision (LELAPE) for low rectal cancer.
We retrospectively analyzed data from 76 patients with rectal cancer who underwent LELAPE from March 2013 to May 2016. Patients were classified into the modified primary closure group (32 patients) and the biological mesh closure group (44 patients). The total operating time, reconstruction time, postoperative stay duration, total cost, postoperative complications and tumor recurrence were compared.
All surgery was successfully performed. The pelvic reconstruction time was 14.6 ± 3.7 min for the modified primary closure group, which was significantly longer than that of the biological mesh closure group (7.2 ± 1.9 min, P < 0.001). The total operating time was not different between the two groups (236 ± 20 min vs 248 ± 43 min, P = 0.143). The postoperative hospital stay duration was 8.1 ± 1.9 d, and the total cost was 9297 ± 1260 USD for the modified primary closure group. Notably, both of these categories were significantly lower in this group than those of the biological mesh closure group (P = 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively). There were no differences observed between groups when comparing other perioperative data, long-term complications or oncological outcomes.
The modified primary closure method for reconstruction of the pelvic floor in LELAPE for low rectal cancer is technically feasible, safe and cost-effective.
Core tip: The modified primary closure approach requires laparoscopic closure of the pelvic peritoneum and layered closure of the perineal defect. By using this modified approach, the length of hospital stay and the total cost were decreased significantly, while other clinical outcomes did not differ, except for a relatively longer time for pelvic reconstruction (14.6 ± 3.7 min vs 7.2 ± 1.9 min). We conclude that the modified primary closure method for reconstruction of the pelvic floor in laparoscopic extralevator abdominal perineal excision for low rectal cancer is technically feasible, safe and cost-effective.