Short-term outcomes of 47 selective laparoscopic lymph node dissection for rectal cancer: A retrospective study

This study aims to analyze the safety, feasibility, and short-term oncology outcomes of selective laparoscope lateral lymph node dissection (LLND) with total mesorectal excision surgery. Between December 2019 and May 2023, LLND with total mesorectal excision surgery was performed in 47 selected patients with advanced rectal cancer. Surgical complications and 2-year oncology survival outcomes were analyzed in the study. All 47 procedures were technically successful without converting conversion to open surgery. The mean operation time was 200.6 minutes (135-321 minutes), and the mean estimated blood loss was 92.9 mL (range 10-2000 mL). The most common postoperative complications were anastomotic (8.5%, n = 4), ileus (6.4%, n = 3), and chyle leakage (4.3%, n = 2). Lateral pelvic lymph node metastases were found in 19 (40.4%) patients. When divided into lateral pelvic lymph node positive and negative groups, there was no significant impact on overall survival (94.4% vs 100%, Log-rank P = .596) and local recurrence-free survival (LFRS) (76.7% vs 89.6%, Log-rank P = .210), except disease-free survival (DFS) (58.3% vs 90.2%, Log-rank P = .005). Subgroup analysis showed similar short-term survival outcomes between the pN+ group and the internal iliac metastasis group (Log-rank P of overall survival, LFRS, and DFS were all ˃.05). LRFS and DFS in the obturator or external iliac metastasis group were worse than those in the internal iliac metastasis group when the follow-up time was extended (Log-rank P of LFRS and DFS were .05 and .063). Selective laparoscopy LLND for rectal cancer is safety and feasibility, and its complications are manageable. Oncology survival outcomes for lateral pelvic lymph node metastases limited to the internal iliac are similar to the pN+ stage; therefore, it should be treated positively.