title: A novel approach for the resection of low rectal cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Our novel approach is a hybrid between cylindrical abdominoperineal resection and single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS). We report the clinical application of this technique and present preliminary data that shows this approach to be an effective tool for resection of low rectal cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty patients with endoscopy-considered and biopsy-proven malignant lesions were required to undergo abdominal computed tomography examination for determining tumor stage. In addition, all patients had taken in digital rectal examination again on the surgery day. Perioperative management of patients was executed according to management of patients in fast-track surgery. First, cylindrical abdominoperineal resection was performed with the patients in the prone jackknife position to peritoneal reflection, then we turned the patients to the supine position and SILS was performed with the homemade single-port device.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average distance from the anal verge was 2.60±1.14 cm and the mean tumor diameter confirmed by pathology measured to be 3.00±1.08 cm, and the circumferential margin was negative in all the specimens. The mean fabrication and set-up time of the homemade SILS device was 7.75±1.21 minutes and the average operating time was 138.55±9.32 minutes with minimal blood loss (20.5±5.83 mL). There were no conversions from SILS to conventional laparoscopy. On average, oral intake can often be successfully initiated 7.35±1.35 h after surgery, with the first passage of flatus from the colostomy occurring 2.55±0.76 d postoperation. Function hospital stay was 4.25±0.97 d with no undue sequelae. During the 6-month-long follow-up stage, no morbidity or mortality was observed except in 2 patients with poor union in perineum incision.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cylindrical abdominoperineal decection combined with SILS is a feasible alternative for low rectal cancer, providing benefits like leaving enough exposure for operation, reducing trauma to surrounding organs, almost completely avoiding circumferential involvement, and allowing fast postoperative recovery.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of General Surgery, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
authors.forename: Pan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hua-Feng
authors.forename: Jiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhi-Wei
authors.forename: Wang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gang
authors.forename: Liu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xin-Xin
authors.forename: Liu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Feng-Tao
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D003125:Colostomy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061646:Operative Time; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome