Laparoscopic Complete Mesocolic Excision with Central Vascular Ligation in right colon cancer: long-term oncologic outcome between mesocolic and non-mesocolic planes of surgery

Aim: To analyze our experience in translating the concept of total mesorectal excision to no-touch complete removal of an intact mesocolonic envelope (complete mesocolic excision), along with central vascular ligation and apical node dissection, in the surgical treatment of right-sided colonic cancers, comparing mesocolic to less radical non-mesocolic planes of surgery in respect to quality of the surgical specimen and long-term oncologic outcome. Method: A total of 115 patients with right-sided colonic cancers were retrospectively enrolled from 2008 to 2013 and operated on following the intent of minimally invasive complete mesocolic excision with central vascular ligation. Results: Morbidity and mortality were 22.6% and 1.7%, respectively. Mesocolic, intramesocolic, and muscularis propria planes of resection were achieved in 65.2%, 21.7%, and 13% of cases, respectively, with significant impact for mesenteric plane of surgery on R0 resection rate (97.3%), circumferential resection margin <1mm (2.6%), and consequent survival advantage (82.6% at 5years) when compared to muscularis propria plane of surgery, with R0 resection rate and overall survival falling to 72% and 60%, respectively, and with circumferential resection margin <1mm raising to 33.3%, all being statistically significant. Stratifying patients for stage of disease, laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision with central vascular ligation significantly impacted survival in patients with stage II, IIIA/B, and in a subgroup of IIIC patients with negative apical nodes. Conclusion: In our experience, minimally invasive complete mesocolic excision with central vascular ligation allows for both safety and higher quality of surgical specimens when compared to less radical intramesocolic or muscularis propria planes of standard surgery, significantly impacting loco-regional control and thus overall survival.