OBJECTIVETo introduce the use of a self-made specimen protective sleeve in laparoscopic resection for upper or mid rectal cancer and sigmoid colon cancer with transrectal specimen extraction surgery and the improvement of implantation method, so as to avoid and reduce bacterial contamination and tumor cell dissemination in abdominal cavity.

METHODSDuring June 2015 and May 2017, 48 cases of high located rectal or sigmoid colon cancer were operated laparoscopically with natural orifices specimen extraction surgery (NOSES) using a self-made specimen protecting sleeve. Operation indication: (1) Rectum and sigmoid colon cancer with the distance of more than 6 cm from tumor inferior margin to dentate line. (2) The maximum diameter of intestine together with mesangial and tumor <7 cm by intraoperative judgment. (3) No anal and distal rectal surgery, no anorectal stenosis or lack of expansion capacity caused by trauma. (4) No ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease or radiation proctitis. After transecting the rectum, the specimen protective sleeve was inserted through the right lower 12 mm main Trocar (This sleeve was tailored from the laparoscopic protective sleeve produced by China 3L Corporation, which was intercepted with 25-35 cm from one end of the sleeve according to the length of distal rectal retention. One end was ligated and the other was open with a ligature band. About 5 ml paraffin oil was used to rinse and lubricate during the operation). The rectal stump retained 7-8 cm in abdominal cavity. The transanal ligation part of the protective sleeve was cut off, then the stapler nail seat was inserted and specimen was pull out through the sleeve and rectum.

RESULTSThere were 30 males and 18 females. The average age was (64.5±14.1) years, the BMI was (25.4±3.9) kg/m, the tumor diameter was (3.3±1.1) cm, the maximum diameter of specimen was (5.4±1.5) cm and the length of specimen was (18.6±4.3) cm. Among these 48 cases, specimens of 36 patients were pulled out through inside of the sleeve easily, while specimens of 12 patients were quite difficult with resistance. Of 12 cases, 7 needed the help of transverse forceps, 4 needed to make 1 cm incision in pull-through bowel and insert a suction to decrease the volume of large specimens with gathering of gas and fluid, and 1 received small abdominal incision to remove specimen and perform intestinal reconstruction due to big specimen (the diameter of tumor and mesentery was 7.5 cm). Specimen tears of 6 patients didn't result in dissemination thanks to the specimen protecting sleeve. The operation time was (113.2±76.1) min, the bleeding amount was (38.5±17.3) ml, the time to first oral intake was (47.9±4.4) h, and the postoperative hospitalization length was (8.5±1.7) d. Anastomotic leakage occurred in 1 case (2.1%). No intra-abdominal and trocar infection, and obstruction were found.

CONCLUSIONThe use of protective sleeve and the improvement of the method of intraperitoneal implantation can effectively reduce the abdominal contamination during the specimen extraction. It can be applied to big specimens as well.