Feasibility of Single-incision Laparoscopic Surgery plus One Assist Port for Anterior Resection

BACKGROUND: We previously reported single-incision laparoscopic surgery plus one assist port (SPO) in 2010 as a type of reduced-port surgery for anterior resection. However, the feasibility and usefulness of SPO for patients with rectal cancer has not been elucidated.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2009 and December 2011, 49 patients with rectal cancer underwent laparoscopic surgery, 36 of these patients underwent multiport surgery (MPS) and the remaining 13 patients underwent SPO at the Kashiwa Hospital, Jikei University.

RESULTS: The mean surgical time was 178.5 (range: 115.0-245.0) min for SPO, and 173.3 (110.0-240.0) min for MPS. The mean intraoperative bleeding was 7.7 (0-60) ml for SPO, and 11.4 (0-70) ml for MPS. The postoperative hospital stay was 10.3 (9-12) days for SPO, 10.8 (6-12) days for MPS. There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to surgical time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative hospital stay. No postoperative complications or postoperative recurrences were encountered in either group.

CONCLUSION: Although single-incision laparoscopic surgery cannot be easily introduced for anterior resection, SPO for the treatment of rectal cancer yields outcomes comparable to MPS and is feasible, safe, and oncologically acceptable.