Laparoscopic and robot-assisted one-stage resection of colorectal cancer with synchronous liver metastases: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
One-stage resection of primary colon cancer and synchronous liver metastases is considered an effective strategy of cure. A laparoscopic approach may represent a safe and advantageous choice for selected patients with the aim of improving the early outcome.


METHODS
Between January 2008 and October 2008, 7 patients underwent one-stage laparoscopic resection for primary colorectal cancer combined with laparoscopic or robot-assisted liver resection.


RESULTS
A total of five laparoscopic left-colon, one right-colon, and one rectal resections were performed. Three patients underwent preoperative left-colon stenting and two received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The patient with rectal cancer underwent neoadjuvant radiotherapy. Liver procedures included one bisegmentectomy (segments 2, 3), 3 segmentectomies, 6 metastasectomies, and four laparoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablations (LUG-RFAs). One patient with multiple liver metastases was managed by a two-stage hepatectomy partially conducted by a totally laparoscopic approach. The overall postoperative morbidity was null. The median hospital stay was 10 days (range 7-10 days).


CONCLUSIONS
This pilot study suggests that laparoscopic one-stage colon and liver resection is feasible and safe. Robot assistance may facilitate liver resection, increasing the number of patients who may benefit from a minimally invasive operation.
Patriti
Alberto
A
Department of General, Vascular, Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery, San Matteo degli Infermi Hospital, Via Loreto, 3, 06049, Spoleto, Perugia, Italy. albertopatriti@gmail.com
Ceccarelli
Graziano
G
Bartoli
Alberto
A
Spaziani
Alessandro
A
Lapalorcia
Luigi Maria
LM
Casciola
Luciano
L