Laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision (CME) for left-sided colon cancer: analysis of feasibility and technical tips        ZONG Ya-ping , HAN Ding-Pei , LU Ai-Guo , et al.Department of Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Shanghai 200025, China
Correspondence author: ZHENG Min-Hua ,E-mail:  zmh_tiger@yeah.net ; LU Ai-Guo ,E-mail:adams_lu66@aliyun.com
Abstract    Objective    To investigate the feasibility and technical tips of laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision (CME) for left-sided colon cancer. Methods    The clinicopathological data of 31 cases with left-sided colon cancer underwent laparoscopic CME between September 2010 and December 2012 in our center was analyzed retrospectively. The quality of surgery was staged by the system reported by West, anatomic planes and technical tips were also elucidated by pictures and videos. Results    All the 31 cases were successfully performed laparoscopic CME. Sharp dissection of the visceral plane from somatic one was performed to keep the integrity of mesocolon. Central ligation of the supplying vessels was needed to obtain an increased lymph node removal. The mean operative time was 106±15 min and the blood loss was 105±74 m1. The mean time for hospitalization were 11.1±2.8 days. Complications were observed in 4 cases (12.9%). 28 cases were evaluated pathologically as Grade A and 3 were Grade B. The total number of lymph nodes removed was 13.9±5.0. In the cases of stage III, the positive rate of principle lymph nodes was 15.8% (3 /19cases). Conclusions    Laparoscopic CME for left-side colon cancer with medial access is technically feasible and randomized trials are needed to evaluate its long-term outcomes.