OBJECTIVETo investigate the short-term efficacy of complete mesocolic excision (CME).

METHODSClinical data of 62 cases of colon cancer (I-III phase) with radical resection including CME surgery group of 31 cases and traditional surgery group of 31 cases from January 2011 to October 2011 in Peking University People's Hospital were retrospective analyzed.

RESULTSThe number of removed lymph node in CME and traditional resection group was 22.5±1.8 and 17.6±1.3 respectively (P<0.05) and the positive rate of lymph node in mesentery root was 9.7% (3/31) in CME surgery group. Operative blood loss was (123.5±17.6) ml and (143.5±15.3) ml in CME and traditional resection group without significant difference (P>0.05). Except for more abdominal drainage volume of 3 days post-operation in CME group (P<0.05), the postoperative recovery indicators of postoperative drainage tube removed time, exhaust time, eating time, and the socioeconomic effects indicators of postoperative hospitalization, hospitalization costs were not significantly different between two groups (all P>0.05). Postoperative intestinal obstruction occurred in 3 cases and 4 cases, lymph fistula in 2 cases and 0 case, wound dehiscence in 1 case and 1 case in CME group and traditional resection group respectively. Postoperative complication rate was not significantly different (19.4% vs. 16.1%, P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONCompared with traditional radical surgery, CME sweeps lymph nodes more thoroughly, including lymph nodes of mesocolic roots, and does not affect postoperative recovery and increase the risk of postoperative complications.