The technological barriers and steep learning curve of single-incision laparoscopic surgery had kept it from further applications. A literature review had reported that robotic technology could preserve its advantages while simplifying its difficulties. This nonrandomized cohort pilot study aims to evaluate the feasibility and safety of single-incision robotic assisted colorectal surgery based on a novel robotic surgical platform, the SHURUI Endoscopic Surgical Robotic System (SR-ENS-600).

In laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for right colon cancer, complete mesocolic excision is a standard procedure that involves extended lymphadenectomy and blood vessel ligation. This study aimed to establish a nomogram to facilitate evaluation of the surgical difficulty of laparoscopic right hemicolectomy based on preoperative parameters.

Knowledge of the normal pattern and variations of the blood supply of the right colon is crucial for better outcomes after colon surgery.The purpose of this study was to describe the precise vascular anatomy of the right colon according to surgical perspective.Adult fresh cadavers were dissected between January 2013 and October 2015, focusing on the venous and arterial anatomy of the right side of the colon.Macroscopic anatomical dissections were performed on 111 adult fresh cadavers with emphasis on the vascular anatomy of the right colon. The colic tributaries of the superior mesenteric artery and vein were documented in writing. Furthermore, the dissections were recorded with a video camera.The incidence of colic arteries arising from the superior mesenteric artery included ileocolic artery, 100%; right colic artery, 33.3%; middle colic artery, 100%; and accessory middle colic artery, 11,7%. All 111 cadavers had a single ileocolic vein, which drained into the superior mesenteric vein in 103 cases (92.8%), into the gastro-pancreatico-colic trunk in 7 cases (6.3%), and into the jejunal trunk in 1 case (0.9%). The drainage site of the ileocolic vein to the superior mesenteric vein varied, and in 9% of cases the ileocolic vein did not accompany the ileocolic artery. The gastro-pancreatico-colic trunk was detected in 87 cases (78.4%); with several forms of the origin of the respective branches, the gastropancreatic trunk was detected in 24 cases (21.6), and the classic gastrocolic trunk of Henle was not detected. Variations were found in the formation and drainage routes of other venous colic tributaries of the superior mesenteric vein.This study is limited by its use of cadavers in that it is impossible to trace each vessel to its origin in live surgery.Surgeons must watch, observe, and bear in mind that vascular variations can occur. Awareness of these complex variations may improve the quality of surgery and may prevent devastating complications during right-sided colon resections.

BACKGROUND: 3D-CT angiography has made it possible to reach a qualitatively new level in the determination of treatment tactics for patients with colorectal cancer. AIMS: This study aimed to analyze the clinical and radiological aspects that need to be discussed before surgery by a multidisciplinary team in patients with right-sided colon cancer. METHODS This study involved 103 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent preoperative 3D-CT angiography from 2016 to 2021 RESULTS: All patients underwent radical D3 right hemicolectomy. The median quantity of removal lymph nodes were 24.71±10.04. Anastomotic leakage was diagnosed in one patient. We have identified eight most common types of superior mesenteric artery. The ileocolic artery crossed the superior mesenteric vein on the anterior surface in 64 (62.1%) patients and on the posterior surface in 39 (37.9%). In 58 (56.3%) patients, the right colic artery was either absent or was a nonindependent branch of superior mesenteric artery. The distance from the root of the superior mesenteric artery to the root of the middle colic artery was 37.8±12.8 mm and that from the root of the middle colic artery to the root of the ileocolic artery was 29.5±15.7 mm. The trunk of Henle was above the root of the middle colic artery in 66 (64.1%) patients, at the same level with the middle colic artery in 16 (15.5%), and below the middle colic artery in 18 (17.5%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative analysis of 3D-CT angiography is a key pattern in assessment of vascular anatomy and can potentially show the complexity of future lymphadenectomy and reduce the risk of anastomotic leakage.

Complex vascular anatomy has always been a difficult point for medical students. Gastrocolic trunk (Henle trunk) has many branches and variations, involving the venous reflux of the stomach, right colon, and pancreas. This study investigated the effects of 3 dimensional (3D) printing technology on medical interns' understanding of Henle trunk's variation, by comparing 2 dimensional (2D) images.Henle trunk modes were manufactured using 3D-CT angiography and 3D-printing technology.Forty-seven interns from 2 medical schools (Nanjing Medical University and Medical College of Nantong University) participated in the study.The interns were divided randomly allocated into 2 groups, where group 1 was the control group with a 2D image of Henle trunk plus surgical video (named 2D image group), and group 2 was the study group with a 3D printed model of Henle trunk plus surgical video (named 3D-printing group). Knowledge of interns on the Henle trunk was compared between 2 groups using a question test before and after the teaching intervention.All interns had an improved overall assessment score as a result of attending the seminar, whether in the 2D image group or the 3D-printing group. The score of the 2D image group increased 32.57 ± 13.86, and the 3D-printing group increased 47.04 ± 12.99, showing significant difference (p = 0.001). There was no significant difference observed between postseminar scores between 2 medical schools (p = 0.975). There was a significant improvement in satisfaction among the 3D-printing group for education depth, novel and inspiring of teaching method, except for the interaction between teacher and interns (p = 0.215). Interns hope to have more teaching time for 3D printing, and not satisfied with the time of 3D printing teaching compared with those in the 2D image group (p = 0.021).The 3-D printed Henle trunk model is a very effective teaching tool, which can help interns understand the anatomy of Henle trunk. The application of 3D printing technology in the teaching of interns of complex vascular anatomy is worth popularizing in teaching hospitals.Copyright © 2020 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The management of Henle's Trunk is a critical step in right hemicolectomy. However, there are few reports detailing standardized methods for safe vascular ligation. In this study, we will introduce a 4-step method for safe handling of Henle's Trunk.We retrospectively analyzed laparoscopic videos of the right hemicolectomy for Henle's Trunk, and classified the key procedure steps into the four steps. Operative time spent on the management of Henle's Trunk, intraoperative bleeding and operative outcomes were analyzed by reviewing the surgical videos and clinical information.A total of 25 patients completed the management of Henle's Trunk successfully, and the average operative time for Henle's trunk was 25.13 min. The median intraoperative blood loss with interquartile ranges was 3(2) ml and no patient had uncontrollable bleeding or accidental injury during the procedure. Learning curve analysis suggested that 12 cases could be familiarized with the 4-step procedure.The 4-step procedure is safe and effective for management of Henle's Trunk branches in right hemicolectomy, and the method has a short learning curve, which can be appropriately promoted.© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

Due to the emphasis of oncologic principle, a medial-to-lateral approach for laparoscopic right hemicolectomy was recommended.1 (,) 2 This approach, however, is technically challenging and involves several limitations with overweight patients, whose mesocolon may be too thick for identification of the vessel landmarks. Moreover, it is difficult for inexperienced surgeons to enter the retroperitoneum space accurately. This report describes a caudal-to-cranial approach for laparoscopic radical extended right hemicolectomy.First, a "yellow-white borderline" between the right mesostenium and retroperitoneum in the right iliac fossa is dissected as the entry for separation of the fusion fascial space between the visceral and parietal peritoneum.3 The right Toldt's fascia is dissected and expanded medial to the periphery of the superior mesenteric vein (SMV), cranial to the pancreas head, and lateral to the ascending colon. The posterior paries of ileocolic vessels (ICVs), right colic vessels (RCVs), and Henle's trunk are exposed. Second, the mesocolon between the ICV and SMV is dissected safely, and the ICV, RCV, and right gastroepiploic vessels as well as the right branch of the middle colic vessel are divided and ligated easily because of the separated retroperitoneal space. The lymph nodes along the SMV are dissected using a caudal-to-cranial approach. Third, the greater omental is dissected for full mobilization of the mesocolon containing 10 cm of normal colon distal to the lesion followed by complete mobilization of the lateral attachments of the ascending colon.In this study, 10 men and 8 women with hepatic flexure cancer underwent laparoscopic extended right hemicolectomy using a caudal-to-cranial approach. No conversion was recorded. The overall complication rate was 11.2 %, including one case of pulmonary infection and one case of urinary tract infection, both of which were cured with conservative measures. The mean age of the patients was 61.3 ± 12.7 years, and the mean body mass index was 22.1 ± 4.5 kg/m(2). The mean operative time was 187.5 ± 47.7 min, and the mean blood loss was 100.4 ± 45.2 ml. The mean first time of flatus was 57.7 ± 26.3 h, and the time of fluid intake was 62.9 ± 29.2 h. The hospital stay was 8.5 ± 4.2 days. The mean number of lymph nodes retrieved was 37.3 ± 12.8.The initial results suggest that the reported approach may be a safe alternative to the conventional medial-to-lateral approach, especially for inexperienced surgeons. The main advantages of the current approach are easy access to the retroperitoneal space by protection of the ureter, safe dissection of lymph nodes along the SMV, and a potentially shortened learning curve.

To evaluate the right colic vascularity, focusing on the confluences of veins.The subjects of this retrospective study were 100 patients who underwent laparoscopic extended right hemicolectomy (Lap-ERHC) between April 2015 and September 2020, at our hospitals. Veins draining into the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) included the ileocecal vein (ICV), the right colic vein (RCV), the middle colic vein (MCV), and the gastrocolic trunk of Henle (GCT). Veins draining into vessels other than the SMV were defined as accessory colic veins (aICV, aRCV or aMCV).The GCT, aRCV, and aMCV were found in 86, 89, and 15 patients, respectively. In 66 patients with one aRCV, drainage was split as the anterior superior pancreaticoduodenal vein (ASPDV) in 12, the right gastroepiploic vein (RGEV) in 7, and the GCT in 47. In 23 patients with two aRCVs, drainage was split as the ASPDV in 4, the RGEV in 1, the GCT in 11, and the ASPDV and GCT in 7. In 14 patients with one aMCV, drainage was split as the GCT in 8, the splenic vein in 5, and the first jejunal vein (FJV) in 1. One patient had two aMCVs, draining into the GCT and the FJV.The findings of our evaluation of vascular anatomy, focusing on confluences of the colic veins, provides useful information for colorectal surgeons.© 2022. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

Laparoscopic extended right hemicolectomy is regarded as one of the more difficult procedures in colorectal surgery due to the complexity of the dissection around the pancreatic neck to identify the origin of the middle colic artery.1 Proper identification and ligation of the middle colic artery at its origin is paramount to achieve complete mesocolic excision.2 3 We describe our technique of middle colic vessels dissection in a laparoscopic extended right hemicolectomy.Our patient was a 58-year-old female with a stenosing transverse colon adenocarcinoma. The video highlights the key steps of a laparoscopic extended right hemicolectomy with special attention to the dissection and identification of the origin of the middle colic vessels at the pancreatic neck. We utilized a posterior-to-anterior approach for the dissection around the superior mesenteric pedicle.By carefully skeletonizing the pancreas from the body to the neck, the superior mesentery pedicle is isolated and skeletonized to identify the origin of the middle colic vessels. A posterior-to-anterior approach is used to complete the skeletonisation before ligation of the middle colic vessels at its origin. Operative time was 288 min with an estimated blood loss of 40 ml. The patient recovered well without complications of pancreatitis and was discharged on postoperative day 5. Histology revealed a 4-cm moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma with 10 of 34 lymph nodes involved-pT3N2b.With the increasing popularity of laparoscopic surgery, meticulous laparoscopic dissection of the middle colic vessels is feasible and safe and may potentially help to optimize oncological outcomes for laparoscopic extended right hemicolectomy.

With the introduction of complete mesocolic excision (CME) and the application of laparoscopic technique, surgery for colon cancer has become more standardized and the curative effect has improved [1]. The key points in laparoscopic right hemicolectomy are high ligation of main vessels and root dissection of lymph nodes. The wide range of variations in vascular architecture and intraoperative bleeding are common causes of prolonged surgical time, wound hemorrhage, and even transfer to the opening operation.The superior mesenteric vein (SMV) is the most important anatomical landmark in CME for the right colon, and guides all the steps of lymph node dissection. The SMV appears as a pale blue bulge on laparoscopy, which enables accurate positioning. The ileocolic vessel pedicle is relatively constant and facilitates accurate positioning. The intersection of the ileocolic vessel pedicle and the SMV is the optimal starting point in laparoscopic right hemicolectomy using a medial-to-lateral approach. A sheath with an avascular plane can be reached after opening the SMV vascular sheath, which results in less bleeding and enables vascular root and thorough lymph node dissection. The first step is to manage the ileocolic vessels. The ileocolic artery (ICA) is located anterior to the ileocolic vein (ICV) for about one-third of the incidence. The ileocolic vessels are relatively long and are easy to work with. In the vast majority of cases, the ICV drains into the SMV, and into the gastrocolic trunk (GCT) in about 2.5% of cases. The reported incidence of a right colic artery (RCA) is controversial; the RCA is absent in about 50% of cases and often crosses the SMV. The right colic vein (RCV) usually drains into the GCT, but sometimes drains directly into the SMV. The middle colic vessels have great variability and a close anatomical relationship with the pancreas, duodenum, and GCT. Moreover, the transverse colon and mesentery are long, and root positioning and processing of the middle colic vein (MCV) are relatively difficult. With the SMV and pancreas as anatomic landmarks, it is more feasible to locate the blood vessels in the neck of the pancreas. The middle colic artery (MCA) originates from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), and the distance from the inferior border of the pancreas differs slightly in the literature, but is at the most 5 cm. Identification of the MCA trunk and branches, as well as the common origin of the MCA and RCA, is of great importance for the maintaining the blood supply during surgery for primary colon cancer. The MCV mainly drains into the SMV and GCT; however, if branching variation drains into the jejunal vein, inferior mesenteric vein, or splenic vein, the effect is serious when a vessel is torn. Isolation of the GCT is the step at which bleeding will likely occur in standard right resection and is a difficult stage of the surgery. The GCT has five origins including the right gastroepiploic vein (RGV), right colic vein (RCV), accessory right colic vein (ARCV), pancreaticduodenal vein (PDV), and MCV, which can have 2, 3, or 4 branches; therefore, familiarity with variants may be helpful to avoid bleeding. Approximately 5-10% of colon cancers at the hepatic flexure have No. 6 group lymph node metastasis, and laparoscopic radical extended right hemicolectomy requires thorough dissection of No. 6 group lymph nodes and the omental arcade 10 cm from the pylorus. The inferior arteriovenous vessels are a common source of bleeding, and the RGV can serve as a clue to finding the artery.The core area of laparoscopic radical extended right hemicolectomy includes the pancreatic neck, duodenum, and right gastroepiploic vessels. The difficulty lies with the standard treatment of the GCT. A medial-to-lateral approach is more in line with the principle of no-touch in tumor surgery and is applied from lower to upper, inside to outside, and left to right, for both the vessels and plane of dissection. Familiarity with vascular variation and the management of vessels in key areas are essential for successful surgery.

The aim of this study was to compare baseline characteristics, 90-day mortality and overall survival (OS) between patients with obstructing and non-obstructing right-sided colon cancer at a national level.All patients who underwent resection for right-sided colon cancer between January 2015 and December 2016 were selected from the Netherlands Cancer Registry and stratified for obstruction. Primary outcome was 5-year OS after excluding 90-day mortality as assessed by the Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox regression analysis.A total of 525 patients (7%) with obstructing and 6891 patients (93%) with non-obstructing right-sided colon cancer were included. Patients with right-sided obstructing colon cancer (OCC) were older and had more often transverse tumour location, and the pathological T and N stage was more advanced than in those without obstruction (p < 0.001). The 90-day mortality in patients with right-sided OCC was higher compared to that in patients with non-obstructing colon cancer: 10% versus 3%, respectively (p < 0.001). The 5-year OS of those surviving 90 days postoperatively was 42% in patients with OCC versus 73% in patients with non-obstructing colon cancer, respectively (p < 0.001). Worse 5-year OS was found in patients with right-sided OCC for all stages. Obstruction was an independent risk factor for decreased OS in right-sided colon cancer (HR 1.79, 95% CI 1.57-2.03).In addition to increased risk of postoperative mortality, a stage-independent worse 5-year OS after excluding 90-day mortality was found in patients with right-sided OCC compared to patients without obstruction.© 2023. The Author(s).

Numerous variations in vascular anatomy have been reported in the right colon. The ileocolic vein (ICV) generally drains directly into the superior mesenteric vein (SMV), and is an important landmark for laparoscopic surgery in right colon cancer. We present here a patient with a vascular anomaly of the ICV that was diagnosed on preoperative imaging.A 65-year-old woman was diagnosed with transverse colon cancer by colonoscopy. Preoperative computed tomography scan showed that the ICV drained into the gastrocolic trunk of Henle (GCT) rather than the SMV. Single-incision laparoscopic transverse colectomy with D3 lymph node dissection was performed, dividing the middle colic vein (MCV) and preserving the right gastroepiploic vein (RGEV), anterior superior pancreaticoduodenal vein (ASPDV), GCT and ICV. The intraoperatively identified venous anatomy was consistent with the preoperative evaluation, and the RGEV, ASPDV and ICV were found to form the GCT.We report a rare vascular anatomical anomaly that was diagnosed preoperatively, facilitating safe and successful single-incision laparoscopic surgery with D3 lymph node dissection.© 2022. The Author(s).

Complete mesocolon excision (CME) and D3-lymphadenectomy concepts have gained popularity for the surgical treatment of right colon cancer in comparison to the conventional laparoscopic right hemicolectomy (CLRH). The rationale of CME is to dissect the embryological planes between the mesenteric plane and the parietal fascia to remove the mesentery within a complete envelope of mesenteric fascia and visceral peritoneum that contains lymph nodes, the central vascular ligation, and adequate bowel length to remove involved pericolic lymph nodes in the longitudinal direction, having as the main goal to improve the oncological results. CME with D3-lymphadenectomy is challenge since involves the excision of the lymph adipose tissue covering the medial edge of the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) (trunk of Gillot, TG), and the gastrocolic trunk of Henle (GTH). We describe a LRH with CME using a cranial approach allowing an easier central vessels origin identification.Through the supramesocolic approach, gastrocolic ligament is opened and the GTH and the middle colic artery (MCA) and vein (MCV) origins are identified. Hepatic flexure is mobilized, and a gauze is placed above the mesenteric vessels. Then, the SMV is identified, dividing the ileocolic vessels origin. The plane between the Gerota and Toldt fascias is opened, identifying duodenum, pancreas, and the gauze previously placed. Following this plane and the SMV along the TG, the GTH and its branches are identified. The superior right colic vein, and the MCA and MCV right branches are divided. After that, colon is fully mobilized laterally opening the parietocolic gutter and an intracorporeal anastomosis is performed.CME could lead to an improvement of oncological results due to a wider mesocolic excision in comparison to conventional D2-lymphadenectomy. Cranial approach facilitates the vessels origin identification to perform a true central ligation.© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

The purpose of this review is to highlight the perils and pitfalls associated with high vascular ligation during right colectomies for adenocarcinoma and to identify the various mechanisms of injury to the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) and its tributaries.This is a retrospective chart review of 304 right colectomies (159 open and 145 laparoscopic) performed over a period of 10 years (1 June 2006-31 May 2016) for right-sided colonic adenocarcinoma in an academic medical center.During a 10-year study period, we encountered five cases in which significant damage to the SMV and its tributaries occurred. This accounts for a total of 1.6 % of all right colectomies performed for colonic adenocarcinoma.Iatrogenic superior mesenteric vein injury is a rare, severe, and underreported complication of both open and laparoscopic right colectomy for colonic adenocarcinoma. We identified several mechanisms of injury such as anatomic misperception, excessive traction and pulling on the venous system, extensive tumor involvement of the mesentery, and uncontrolled suturing attempts at hemostasis. We believe that increased awareness of this complication with profound understanding of vascular anatomy and the different mechanisms of injury will allow surgeons to avoid this often devastating complication.