Published online Feb 27, 2012. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v4.i2.41
Revised: October 31, 2011
Accepted: November 10, 2011
Published online: February 27, 2012
Although laparoscopic colectomy is commonly performed around the world, an operative wound formed during the surgery is large but not sufficient enough to convert for the majority of open surgery. Thus, a certain sized skin incision is required to remove the resected colon. Here we report the case of a pure laparoscopic ileocecal resection which involves transanal specimen extraction. We present a case characterized by a laterally spreading type of tumor of the cecum. We performed a pure laparoscopic ileocecal resection and the resected specimen was removed transanally using colonoscopy. Intracorporeal functional anastomosis was then performed using a flexible linear stapling device under supporting barbed suture traction. The patient was discharged without complications on postoperative day 4. Laparoscopic colectomy performed with minimal incision could essentially increase the usage of this surgical technique. Although our method is restricted to flat or small lesions, we think it is a feasible and realistic solution for minimization of operative invasion because it involves specimen extraction through a natural orifice.