Resection of stage 0/I colon cancer via a circumferential periumbilical skin incision: relevance to single-incision laparoscopic surgery.
BACKGROUND
We have been performing curative resection of colon cancer via a minilaparotomy without utilizing any laparoscopic instruments as an alternative to laparoscopic-assisted approach. Based on our experiences and improved surgical techniques, we have devised a new method for performing resection of stage 0/I colon cancer via a circumferential periumbilical skin incision that is associated with better cosmesis than standard minilaparotomy.


METHODS
The short- and long-term results of curative colectomy via a circumferential periumbilical skin incision without utilizing any laparoscopic instruments performed in selected patients with stage 0/I colon cancer between October 2003 and July 2004 were analyzed.


RESULTS
There were 8 men and 2 women with a median age of 66.5 years (range 61-77 years). Their median body mass index was 22.4 kg/m(2) (range 21.1-27.7 kg/m(2)). Pathological stage according the TNM classification was stage 0 in 4 patients and stage I in 6 patients. Median operative time was 160.5 min (range 135-203 min), and median blood loss was 60 ml (range 5-330 ml). Postoperative complications consisted of seroma in two patients and small bowel obstruction in one patient. After a median follow-up period of 5.7 years, there were no recurrences or wound complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Curative colectomy via a circumferential periumbilical skin incision seems oncologically safe, yields satisfactory cosmetic results, and may provide an alternative to single-incision laparoscopic surgery in selected patients with colon cancer.
Ohsawa
T
T
Department of Digestive Tract and General Surgery, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, 1981 Kamoda, Kawagoe, Saitama, 350-8550, Japan.
Ishida
H
H
Kumamoto
K
K
Nakada
H
H
Yokoyama
M
M
Okada
N
N
Ishibashi
K
K
Haga
N
N
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000368:Aged; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D003082:Colectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013996:Time and Motion Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014472:Umbilicus