title: Preoperative localization of colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: Preoperative colorectal tumor localization is crucial for appropriate resection and treatment planning. As the localization accuracy of conventional colonoscopy is considered to be low, several localization techniques have been developed. We systematically reviewed the tumor localization error rates of several preoperative endoscopic techniques and synthesized information on risk factors for localization errors and procedure-related adverse events.
  
  
  
  MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and the grey literature were searched. Studies were included if they reported tumor localization errors in patients with colorectal cancer undergoing resection with curative intent. Using random-effects models, pooled incidence of tumor localization errors were derived for conventional colonoscopy and colonoscopic tattooing. Due to the lack of comparative studies, a direct comparison of the pooled estimates was performed. Procedure-related adverse events, risk factors for localization errors, and the localization outcomes of other techniques such as colonoscopic clip placement, radioguided occult colonic lesion identification, and the use of magnetic endoscope imaging were also synthesized.
  
  
  
  A total of 38 non-randomized controlled and observational studies were included in this review (2578 patients underwent conventional colonoscopy and 643 colonoscopic tattooing). The pooled incidence of localization errors with conventional colonoscopy was 15.4 % (95 % CI 12.0-18.7), whereas that of colonoscopic tattooing was 9.5 % (95 % CI 5.7-13.3), mean difference 5.9 % (95 % CI 0.65-11.14, p = 0.03). Adverse events secondary to tattooing were infrequent, and most were cases of ink spillage. Limited information was available for other localization techniques.
  
  
  
  Conventional colonoscopy has a higher incidence of localization error compared to colonoscopic tattooing for localization of colorectal cancer. Colonoscopic tattooing is safe and leads to fewer tumor localization errors. Given the widespread adoption of laparoscopic resections for colorectal cancer, routine colonoscopic tattooing should be adopted. However, studies directly comparing different localization techniques are needed.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Sergio A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Acuna
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elmi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Departments of Pediatrics, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Prakesh S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Division of General Surgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Natalie G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Coburn
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. Fayez.Quereshy@uhn.ca.|Division of General Surgery, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, 399 Bathurst Street Main Pavilion, Room 8-320, Toronto, ON, M5T 2S8, Canada. Fayez.Quereshy@uhn.ca.
authors.forename: Fayez A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Quereshy
mesh_terms: D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D013653:Tattooing / Q000379:methods
keywords: Colonoscopy; Colorectal neoplasms; Colorectal surgery; Laparoscopy; Preoperative procedures