Robot-assisted Total Mesorectal Excision and Lateral Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection for Locally Advanced Middle-low Rectal Cancer

Summary

The robotic technique described herein aims to detail a stepwise approach to robot-assisted total mesorectal excision and lateral pelvic lymph node dissection for locally advanced (T3/T4) rectal cancer located below the peritoneal reflection.

Abstract

Since their approval for clinical use, da Vinci surgical robots have shown great advantages in gastrointestinal surgical operations, especially in complex procedures. The high-quality 3-D visual, multijoint arm and natural tremor filtration allow the surgeon to expose and dissect more accurately with minimal invasion. Total mesorectal excision is the standard surgical technique for the treatment of resectable rectal cancer. To reduce the lateral recurrence rate, lateral pelvic lymph node dissection can be performed, as it is a safe and feasible procedure for locally advanced middle-low rectal cancer with a high possibility of metastasis to the lateral lymph nodes. However, the complexity of the anatomic structures and the high postoperative complication rate limit its application. Recently, several surgeons have increasingly used robotic techniques for total mesorectal excision and lateral pelvic lymph node dissection. Compared with open and laparoscopic surgery, the robotic technique has several advantages, such as less blood loss, fewer blood transfusions, minimal trauma, shorter postoperative hospitalization, and quicker recovery. A robotic approach is generally regarded as a reasonable alternative for complicated procedures such as lateral pelvic lymph node dissection, although there are a limited number of high-quality prospective randomized controlled studies reporting direct evidence. Here, we provide the detailed steps of robot-assisted total mesorectal excision and lateral pelvic lymph node dissection performed at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University.

Introduction

Since their approval for clinical use by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 2000, da Vinci surgical robots have been increasingly utilized across different surgical specialties¹. The robotic surgical system has the advantages of using flexible multijoint arms, a high-quality three-dimensional camera, tremor filtration, and greatly improved ergonomics, which can minimize the invasiveness of the operation and thus making it ideal for complex procedures.

For decades, total mesorectal excision (TME) has been the standard for the treatment of resectable rectal cancer. However, for advanced (T3/T4) rectal ca....

Protocol

This protocol complies with the guidelines of the Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi 'an Jiaotong University (No. 2019ZD04).

1. Preoperative preparation, patient position, and anesthesia

1. Ensure appropriate dietary management before operation.
   1. Prescribe a preoperative oral carbohydrate drink to be consumed at bedtime and 4 h prior to surgery.
      NOTE: This was allowed based on the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) proto.......

Discussion

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide¹³. Among them, more than a third are rectal cancer. Due to the higher postoperative functional requirement and the sophisticated neuro- and fascial anatomy of the pelvis and perineum, the best surgical approach for rectal cancer, especially low or ultralow rectal cancer, is still under great debate. Since its first report in 1979, total mesorectal excision (TME) has been the standard surgical technique for the treatment of resecta.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
0 Silk suture	N/A	N/A	Secure the anvil
12mm Trocar	Medtronic (Minneapolis, MN)	NONB12STF	Assistant port 1
19 Fr drain	N/A	N/A	Pelvic drain
2-0 Silk suture	N/A	N/A	Close skin incisions
2-0 V-Loc sutures	Covidien (Dublin, Ireland)	VLOCL0315	Barbed Absorable Suture
4-0 PDS	Ethicon (Somerville, NJ)	SXPP1A400	Synthetic Absorbable Suture
8mm Trocar	Medtronic (Minneapolis, MN)	NONB8STF	Assistant port 2
Bipolar forceps	Intuitive (Sunnyvale, CA)	470172	Operation
Cadiere grasping forceps	Intuitive (Sunnyvale, CA)	470049	Operation
Circular stapler	EzisurgMed (Shanghai, China)	CS2535	Laparoscopic Surgical Stapler
Da Vinci Si	Intuitive (Sunnyvale, CA)	N/A	Surgical Robot
Da Vinci Xi	Intuitive (Sunnyvale, CA)	N/A	Surgical Robot
Hem-o-lok ligation clip	Weck (Morrisville, NC)	544995	Ligation of vessel
Laparoscopic single use linear cutting stapler	EzisurgMed (Shanghai, China)	U12M45	Laparoscopic Surgical Stapler
Large needle driver	Intuitive (Sunnyvale, CA)	470006	Operation
Monopolar scissors	Intuitive (Sunnyvale, CA)	470179	Operation
Ribbon retractor	N/A	N/A	Control movement of rectum
Specimen Bags	N/A	N/A	Extract specimen
Veress needle	N/A	N/A	Saline drop test