Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of proximal gastrectomy and total gastrectomy in the treatment of Siewert type Ⅱ and Ⅲ adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (AEG).Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 170 patients with Siewert type Ⅱ and Ⅲ AEG who were admitted to Guangdong Provincial People′s Hospital from January 2010 to December 2018 were collected. There were 125 males and 45 females, aged from 30 to 85 years, with a median age of 64 years. Of the 170 patients, 82 cases undergoing proximal gastrectomy were allocated into the proximal gastrectomy group and 88 cases undergoing total gastrectomy were allocated into the total gastrectomy group. Observation indica-tors: (1) surgical and postoperative situations; (2) follow-up and survival; (3) analysis of prognostic factors. Follow-up was conducted using telephone interview and outpatient examination to detect survival of patients up to December 2021. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the t test. Measure-ment data with skewed distribution were represented as M( Q1, Q3) or M(range), and comparison between groups was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Comparison of ordinal data was analyzed using the rank sum test. Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw survival curves, and Log-Rank test was used for survival analysis. COX proportional hazard model was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. Variables with P<0.1 in univariate analysis were included for multivariate analysis. Results:(1) Surgical and postoperative situations. Cases with surgical approach as transthoracic or thoraco-abdominal approach, transabdominal approach, the operation time, cases with volume of intra-operative blood loss ≤100 mL or >100 mL, cases with length of proximal margin ≤1.5 cm or >1.5 cm, cases with radical surgery outcome as R 0, R 1, R 2, the number of lymph nodes harvest, cases with anastomotic leakage, cases with anastomotic stricture, cases with incision infection, cases with pleural infection or effusion, cases with abdominal infection or ascites were 61, 21, (211±18)minutes, 46, 36, 44, 38, 73, 6, 3, 15(9,22), 5, 2, 2, 4, 2 in the proximal gastrectomy group, respec-tively. The above indicators were 12, 76, (263±15)minutes, 27, 61, 45, 43, 82, 4, 2, 23(18,32), 4, 1, 3, 1, 4 in the total gastrectomy group, respectively. There were significant differences in the surgical approach, operation time, volume of intraoperative blood loss and the number of lymph nodes harvest between the two groups ( χ2=63.94, t=-25.50, χ2=11.19, Z=-5.62, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the length of proximal margin or radical surgery outcome between the two groups ( χ2=0.11, Z=-0.95, P>0.05) and there was no significant difference in the anastomotic leakage, anastomotic stricture, incision infection, pleural infection or effusion, abdominal infection or ascites between the two groups ( P>0.05). (2) Follow-up and survival. All the 170 patients were followed up for 89(64,106)months. Of the 170 patients, the 5-year overall survival rates were 43.8% and 35.5% of the Siewert type Ⅱ and Ⅲ AEG patients, respectively, showing no significant difference between them ( χ2=0.87, P>0.05). Of the patients with Siewert type Ⅱ AEG, the 5-year overall survival rates were 41.7% and 54.3% in the patients with proximal gastrectomy and the total gastrectomy, respectively, showing no significant difference between them ( χ2=1.05, P>0.05). Of the patients with Siewert type Ⅲ AEG, the 5-year overall survival rates were 31.3% and 37.5% in the patients with proximal gastrectomy and the total gastrectomy, respectively, showing no significant difference between them ( χ2=0.33, P>0.05). The 5-year overall survival rates were 39.0% and 44.2% in the proximal gastrectomy group and the total gastrectomy group, respectively, showing no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=0.63, P>0.05). Of the patients in TNM stage Ⅰ, stage Ⅱ, stage Ⅲ, the 5-year overall survival rates were 65.3%, 36.3%, 27.1% in the proximal gastrectomy group, versus 83.3%, 48.0%, 39.7% in the total gastrectomy group, showing no signifi-cant difference between the two groups ( χ2=0.02, 1.50, 1.21, P>0.05). (3) Analysis of prognostic factors. Results of univariate analysis showed that pathological N staging, degree of tumor differen-tiation and radical surgery outcome were related factors influencing prognosis of AEG patients ( hazard ratio=1.71, 1.70, 2.85, 95% confidence interval as 1.16-2.60, 1.15-2.50, 1.58-5.14, P<0.05). Results of multivariate analysis showed that pathological N staging and radical surgery outcome were independent factors influencing prognosis of AEG patients ( hazard ratio=1.55, 2.18, 95% confidence interval as 1.05-2.31, 1.18-4.02, P<0.05). Conclusions:There is no significant difference in the prognosis of Siewert type Ⅱ and Ⅲ AEG patients undergoing proximal gastrectomy or total gastrectomy. Proximal gastrectomy can be used for the treatment of advanced Siewert type Ⅱ and Ⅲ AEG.

Objective:To understand the current practice of preoperative bowel preparation in elective colorectal surgery in China.Methods:A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted through wechat. The content of the questionnaire survey included professional title of the participants, the hospital class, dietary preparation and protocol, oral laxatives and specific types, oral antibiotics, gastric intubation, and mechanical enema before elective colorectal surgery. A stratified analysis based on hospital class was conducted to understand their current practice of preoperative bowel preparation in elective colorectal surgery.Result:A total of 600 questionnaires were issued, and 516 (86.00%) questionnaires of participants from different hospitals, engaged in colorectal surgery or general surgeons were recovered, of which 366 were from tertiary hospitals (70.93%) and 150 from secondary hospitals (29.07%). For diet preparation, the proportions of right hemicolic, left hemicolic and rectal surgery were 81.59% (421/516), 84.88% (438/516) and 84.88% (438/516) respectively. The average time of preoperative dietary preparation was 2.03 days. The study showed that 85.85% (443/516) of surgeons chose oral laxatives for bowel preparation in all colorectal surgery, while only 4.26% (22/516) of surgeons did not choose oral laxatives. For mechanical enema, the proportions of right hemicolic, left hemicolic and rectal surgery were 19.19% (99/516), 30.04% (155/516) and 32.75% (169/516) respectively. Preoperative oral antibiotics was used by 34.69% (179/516) of the respondents. 94.38% (487/516) of participants were satisfied with bowel preparation, and 55.43% (286/516) of participants believed that preoperative bowel preparation was well tolerated. In terms of preoperative oral laxatives, there was no statistically significant difference between different levels of hospitals [secondary hospitals vs. tertiary hospitals: 90.00% (135/150) vs. 84.15% (308/366), χ 2=2.995, P=0.084]. Compared with the tertiary hospitals, the surgeons in the secondary hospitals accounted for higher proportions in diet preparation [87.33% (131/150) vs. 76.78% (281/366), χ 2=7.369, P=0.007], gastric intubation [54.00% (81/150) vs. 36.33% (133/366), χ 2=13.672, P<0.001], preoperative oral antibiotics [58.67% (88/150) vs. 24.86% (91/366), χ 2=12.259, P<0.001] and enema [28.67% (43/150) vs. 15.30% (56/366), χ 2=53.661, P<0.001]. Conclusion:Although the preoperative bowel preparation practice in elective colorectal surgery for most of surgeons in China is basically the same as the current international protocol, the proportions of mechanical enema and gastric intubation before surgery are still relatively high.

Objective:To explore the safety and feasibility of indocyanine green (ICG) injection through accessory incision in laparoscopic right hemicolectomy.Methods:A descriptive case series study was carried out. Clinicopathological data of 29 patients with colon cancer undergoing right hemicolectomy at Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients received ICG injection through accessory incision at the beginning of operation.Results:Among 29 patients, 13 were male and 16 were female with a mean age of (60.8±7.7) years and mean body mass index of (24.3±2.8) kg/m 2; 3 were stage I, 19 were stage II, 7 were stage III. Pericolic, intermediate and main lymph nodes could be detected under near infrared fluorescence imaging (NIRFI) in all the cases. No.6 lymph nodes were observed in 3 cases, while no lymph nodes around superior mesenteric vein (SMV) were found. The average number of fluorescent lymph node was 14.2±6.1. The average developing time of fluorescence was (36.2±3.7) minutes. The average number of harvested lymph nodes was 22.4±8.2. There was no extravasation of imaging agent during the operation, and there were no intraoperative complications such as allergies, massive abdominal bleeding, peripheral organ damage, etc. Operative time was (113.1±10.7) minutes, blood loss during operation was (22.4±3.9) ml, ambulatory time was (1.2±0.4) days, time to the first flatus was (1.7±0.7) days, time to the first fluid diet was (0.7±0.4) days, and postoperative hospital stay was (5.8±1.5) days. No operation-associated complications such as anastomotic bleeding, anastomotic leakage, peritoneal bleeding, peritoneal infection, incision infection occurred after operation. Conclusion:ICG injection through accessory incision in laparoscopic right hemicolectomy is safe and feasible.

Objective:Surgical site infection (SSI) is the most common infectious complication after emergency abdominal surgery (EAS). To a large extent, most SSI can be prevented, but there are few relevant studies in China. This study mainly investigated the current situation of SSI occurrence after EAS in China, and further explored risk factors for SSI occurrence.Methods:Multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted. Clinical data of patients undergoing EAS in 33 hospitals across China between May 1, 2019 and June 7, 2019 were prospectively collected, including perioperative data and microbial culture results from infected incisions. The primary outcome was the incidence of SSI after EAS, while the secondary outcomes were postoperative hospital stay, ICU occupancy rate, length of ICU stay, hospitalization cost, and mortality within postoperative 30 days. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the risk factors of SSI after EAS.Results:A total of 660 EAS patients aged (47.9±18.3) years were enrolled in this study, including 56.5% of males (373/660). Forty-nine (7.4%) patients developed postoperative SSI. The main pathogen of SSI was Escherichia coli [culture positive rate was 32.7% (16/49)]. As compared to patients without SSI, those with SSI were more likely to be older (median 56 years vs. 46 years, U=19 973.5, P<0.001), male [71.4% (35/49) vs. 56.1% (343/611), χ 2=4.334, P=0.037] and diabetes [14.3% (7/49) vs. 5.1% (31/611), χ 2=5.498, P=0.015]; with-lower preoperative hemoglobin (median: 122.0 g/L vs. 143.5 g/L, U=11 471.5, P=0.006) and albumin (median: 35.5 g/L vs. 40.8 g/L, U=9452.0, P<0.001), with higher blood glucose (median: 6.9 mmol/L vs. 6.0 mmol/L, U=17 754.5, P<0.001); with intestinal obstruction [32.7% (16/49) vs. 9.2% (56/611), χ 2=25.749, P<0.001], with ASA score 3-4 [42.9% (21/49) vs. 13.9% (85/611), χ 2=25.563, P<0.001] and with high surgical risk [49.0% (24/49) vs. 7.0% (43/611), χ 2=105.301, P<0.001]. The main operative procedure resulting in SSI was laparotomy [81.6%(40/49) vs. 35.7%(218/611), χ 2=40.232, P<0.001]. Patients with SSI experienced significantly longer operation time (median: 150 minutes vs. 75 minutes, U=25 183.5, P<0.001). In terms of clinical outcome, higher ICU occupancy rate [51.0% (25/49) vs. 19.5% (119/611), χ 2=26.461, P<0.001], more hospitalization costs (median: 44 000 yuan vs. 15 000 yuan, U=24 660.0, P<0.001), longer postoperative hospital stay (median: 10 days vs. 5 days, U=23 100.0, P<0.001) and longer ICU occupancy time (median: 0 days vs. 0 days, U=19 541.5, P<0.001) were found in the SSI group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the elderly (OR=3.253, 95% CI: 1.178-8.985, P=0.023), colorectal surgery (OR=9.156, 95% CI: 3.655-22.937, P<0.001) and longer operation time (OR=15.912, 95% CI:6.858-36.916, P<0.001) were independent risk factors of SSI, while the laparoscopic surgery (OR=0.288, 95% CI: 0.119-0.694, P=0.006) was an independent protective factor for SSI. Conclusions:For patients undergoing EAS, attention should be paid to middle-aged and elderly patients and those of colorectal surgery. Laparoscopic surgery should be adopted when feasible and the operation time should be minimized, so as to reduce the incidence of SSI and to reduce the burden on patients and medical institutions.

Objective:To understand the current practice of preoperative bowel preparation in elective colorectal surgery in China.Methods:A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted through wechat. The content of the questionnaire survey included professional title of the participants, the hospital class, dietary preparation and protocol, oral laxatives and specific types, oral antibiotics, gastric intubation, and mechanical enema before elective colorectal surgery. A stratified analysis based on hospital class was conducted to understand their current practice of preoperative bowel preparation in elective colorectal surgery.Result:A total of 600 questionnaires were issued, and 516 (86.00%) questionnaires of participants from different hospitals, engaged in colorectal surgery or general surgeons were recovered, of which 366 were from tertiary hospitals (70.93%) and 150 from secondary hospitals (29.07%). For diet preparation, the proportions of right hemicolic, left hemicolic and rectal surgery were 81.59% (421/516), 84.88% (438/516) and 84.88% (438/516) respectively. The average time of preoperative dietary preparation was 2.03 days. The study showed that 85.85% (443/516) of surgeons chose oral laxatives for bowel preparation in all colorectal surgery, while only 4.26% (22/516) of surgeons did not choose oral laxatives. For mechanical enema, the proportions of right hemicolic, left hemicolic and rectal surgery were 19.19% (99/516), 30.04% (155/516) and 32.75% (169/516) respectively. Preoperative oral antibiotics was used by 34.69% (179/516) of the respondents. 94.38% (487/516) of participants were satisfied with bowel preparation, and 55.43% (286/516) of participants believed that preoperative bowel preparation was well tolerated. In terms of preoperative oral laxatives, there was no statistically significant difference between different levels of hospitals [secondary hospitals vs. tertiary hospitals: 90.00% (135/150) vs. 84.15% (308/366), χ 2=2.995, P=0.084]. Compared with the tertiary hospitals, the surgeons in the secondary hospitals accounted for higher proportions in diet preparation [87.33% (131/150) vs. 76.78% (281/366), χ 2=7.369, P=0.007], gastric intubation [54.00% (81/150) vs. 36.33% (133/366), χ 2=13.672, P<0.001], preoperative oral antibiotics [58.67% (88/150) vs. 24.86% (91/366), χ 2=12.259, P<0.001] and enema [28.67% (43/150) vs. 15.30% (56/366), χ 2=53.661, P<0.001]. Conclusion:Although the preoperative bowel preparation practice in elective colorectal surgery for most of surgeons in China is basically the same as the current international protocol, the proportions of mechanical enema and gastric intubation before surgery are still relatively high.

Objective:To explore the safety and feasibility of indocyanine green (ICG) injection through accessory incision in laparoscopic right hemicolectomy.Methods:A descriptive case series study was carried out. Clinicopathological data of 29 patients with colon cancer undergoing right hemicolectomy at Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients received ICG injection through accessory incision at the beginning of operation.Results:Among 29 patients, 13 were male and 16 were female with a mean age of (60.8±7.7) years and mean body mass index of (24.3±2.8) kg/m 2; 3 were stage I, 19 were stage II, 7 were stage III. Pericolic, intermediate and main lymph nodes could be detected under near infrared fluorescence imaging (NIRFI) in all the cases. No.6 lymph nodes were observed in 3 cases, while no lymph nodes around superior mesenteric vein (SMV) were found. The average number of fluorescent lymph node was 14.2±6.1. The average developing time of fluorescence was (36.2±3.7) minutes. The average number of harvested lymph nodes was 22.4±8.2. There was no extravasation of imaging agent during the operation, and there were no intraoperative complications such as allergies, massive abdominal bleeding, peripheral organ damage, etc. Operative time was (113.1±10.7) minutes, blood loss during operation was (22.4±3.9) ml, ambulatory time was (1.2±0.4) days, time to the first flatus was (1.7±0.7) days, time to the first fluid diet was (0.7±0.4) days, and postoperative hospital stay was (5.8±1.5) days. No operation-associated complications such as anastomotic bleeding, anastomotic leakage, peritoneal bleeding, peritoneal infection, incision infection occurred after operation. Conclusion:ICG injection through accessory incision in laparoscopic right hemicolectomy is safe and feasible.

Objective:Surgical site infection (SSI) is the most common infectious complication after emergency abdominal surgery (EAS). To a large extent, most SSI can be prevented, but there are few relevant studies in China. This study mainly investigated the current situation of SSI occurrence after EAS in China, and further explored risk factors for SSI occurrence.Methods:Multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted. Clinical data of patients undergoing EAS in 33 hospitals across China between May 1, 2019 and June 7, 2019 were prospectively collected, including perioperative data and microbial culture results from infected incisions. The primary outcome was the incidence of SSI after EAS, while the secondary outcomes were postoperative hospital stay, ICU occupancy rate, length of ICU stay, hospitalization cost, and mortality within postoperative 30 days. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the risk factors of SSI after EAS.Results:A total of 660 EAS patients aged (47.9±18.3) years were enrolled in this study, including 56.5% of males (373/660). Forty-nine (7.4%) patients developed postoperative SSI. The main pathogen of SSI was Escherichia coli [culture positive rate was 32.7% (16/49)]. As compared to patients without SSI, those with SSI were more likely to be older (median 56 years vs. 46 years, U=19 973.5, P<0.001), male [71.4% (35/49) vs. 56.1% (343/611), χ 2=4.334, P=0.037] and diabetes [14.3% (7/49) vs. 5.1% (31/611), χ 2=5.498, P=0.015]; with-lower preoperative hemoglobin (median: 122.0 g/L vs. 143.5 g/L, U=11 471.5, P=0.006) and albumin (median: 35.5 g/L vs. 40.8 g/L, U=9452.0, P<0.001), with higher blood glucose (median: 6.9 mmol/L vs. 6.0 mmol/L, U=17 754.5, P<0.001); with intestinal obstruction [32.7% (16/49) vs. 9.2% (56/611), χ 2=25.749, P<0.001], with ASA score 3-4 [42.9% (21/49) vs. 13.9% (85/611), χ 2=25.563, P<0.001] and with high surgical risk [49.0% (24/49) vs. 7.0% (43/611), χ 2=105.301, P<0.001]. The main operative procedure resulting in SSI was laparotomy [81.6%(40/49) vs. 35.7%(218/611), χ 2=40.232, P<0.001]. Patients with SSI experienced significantly longer operation time (median: 150 minutes vs. 75 minutes, U=25 183.5, P<0.001). In terms of clinical outcome, higher ICU occupancy rate [51.0% (25/49) vs. 19.5% (119/611), χ 2=26.461, P<0.001], more hospitalization costs (median: 44 000 yuan vs. 15 000 yuan, U=24 660.0, P<0.001), longer postoperative hospital stay (median: 10 days vs. 5 days, U=23 100.0, P<0.001) and longer ICU occupancy time (median: 0 days vs. 0 days, U=19 541.5, P<0.001) were found in the SSI group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the elderly (OR=3.253, 95% CI: 1.178-8.985, P=0.023), colorectal surgery (OR=9.156, 95% CI: 3.655-22.937, P<0.001) and longer operation time (OR=15.912, 95% CI:6.858-36.916, P<0.001) were independent risk factors of SSI, while the laparoscopic surgery (OR=0.288, 95% CI: 0.119-0.694, P=0.006) was an independent protective factor for SSI. Conclusions:For patients undergoing EAS, attention should be paid to middle-aged and elderly patients and those of colorectal surgery. Laparoscopic surgery should be adopted when feasible and the operation time should be minimized, so as to reduce the incidence of SSI and to reduce the burden on patients and medical institutions.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the expression of (epidermal growth factor receptor-2,HER-2) and clinicopathological features and survival of colorectal cancer.Methods From Jan 2005 to Dec 2015,all colorectal cancer cases were enrolled that the expression levels of HER-2 were detected in Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital.Clinicopathological features of the tumors and survival of the patients were analyzed.Results A total of 1 463 cases were collected in 10 years,including 711 cases (48.6％) of HER-2 (-),470 cases (32.1％) of HER-2 (+),249 cases (17％) of HER-2 (+ +),and 33 cases (2.3％) of HER-2 (+ + +).Correlation analysis shows that the expression levels of HER-2 were significantly correlated with tumor differentiation and the depth of tumor invasion(T stage),but not correlated with gender,age,tumor location,N stage,M stage,TNM stage and overall survival,and disease-free survival.Conclusion The expression of HER-2 may be related to tumor differentiation and growth infiltration,but it cannot be used as a predictor of prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer.

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and safety of the medial approach "four-step method" in the laparoscopic mobilization of splenic flexure. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed. Clinical data of 157 colorectal cancer patients undergoing the medial approach "four-step method" in the laparoscopic mobilization of splenic flexure at Gastrointestinal Surgical Department of Guangdong Provincial People′s Hospital from July 2015 to June 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Of 157 cases, 17 were transverse colon cancer, 94 were descending colon cancer, 25 were sigmoid cancer and 21 were rectal cancer; 89 were male and 68 were female; mean age was (61.8±10.3) years and mean body mass index was (23.2±3.7) kg/m². The medial approach "four-step method" in the laparoscopic mobilization of splenic flexure was performed as follows: (1) The root vessels were treated with the "provocation" technique to expand the Toldt′s gap. This expansion was extended from the lateral side to the peritoneum reflex of left colonic sulcus, from the caudal side to the posterior rectal space, and from the cephalad side to the lower edge of pancreas. (2) The left colonic sulcus was mobilized, converging with the posterior Toldt′s gap. Mobilization was carried out from cephalad side to descending colon flexure, freeing and cutting phrenicocolic ligament and splenocolic ligament, and from caudal side to peritoneal reflex. (3) Gastrocolic ligament was moblized. Whether to enter the great curvature of stomach omentum arch when the gastrocolic ligament was cut, that was, whether to clean the fourth group of lymph nodes, should be according to the tumor site and whether serosal layer was invaded. (4) Transverse mesocolon was moblized and transected at the lower edge of the pancreatic surface, merging with the posterior Toldt′s gap, and from lateral side to lower edge of the pancreatic body, merging with the lateral left paracolonic sulcus. Safety and short-term clinical efficacy of this surgical procedure was summarized. Results: All the patients completed this procedure. During operation, 3 cases were complicated with organ injury, including 1 case of colon injury, 1 case of spleen injury and 1 case of pancreas injury. No operative death and conversion to open surgery was found. The average operation time was (147.5±35.1) minutes, the average intra-operative blood loss was (40.8±32.7) ml and the average number of harvested lymph node was (16.1±5.8), including (4.0±2.3) of positive lymph nodes. The first exhaust time after surgery was (41.3±20.6) hours, the fluid intake time was (1.5±1.3) days, the postoperative hospital stay was (5.2±2.3) days. Eight (5.1%) cases developed postoperative complications, and all were improved and discharged after conservative treatments. According to the TNM classification system, postoperative pathology revealed that 31 patients were stage I, 51 were stage II, 53 were stage III, 22 were stage IV. Conclusion The medial approach "four-step method" is safe and feasible, which can effectively decrease the operation difficulty of the laparoscopic mobilization of the splenic flexure.

Objective To investigate the feasibility and safety of the medial approach "four?step method" in the laparoscopic mobilization of splenic flexure. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed. Clinical data of 157 colorectal cancer patients undergoing the medial approach "four?step method" in the laparoscopic mobilization of splenic flexure at Gastrointestinal Surgical Department of Guangdong Provincial People′s Hospital from July 2015 to June 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Of 157 cases, 17 were transverse colon cancer, 94 were descending colon cancer, 25 were sigmoid cancer and 21 were rectal cancer; 89 were male and 68 were female; mean age was (61.8±10.3) years and mean body mass index was (23.2±3.7) kg/m2. The medial approach "four?step method" in the laparoscopic mobilization of splenic flexure was performed as follows: (1) The root vessels were treated with the "provocation"technique to expand the Toldt′s gap. This expansion was extended from the lateral side to the peritoneum reflex of left colonic sulcus, from the caudal side to the posterior rectal space, and from the cephalad side to the lower edge of pancreas. (2) The left colonic sulcus was mobilized, converging with the posterior Toldt′s gap. Mobilization was carried out from cephalad side to descending colon flexure, freeing and cutting phrenicocolic ligament and splenocolic ligament, and from caudal side to peritoneal reflex. (3) Gastrocolic ligament was moblized. Whether to enter the great curvature of stomach omentum arch when the gastrocolic ligament was cut, that was, whether to clean the fourth group of lymph nodes, should be according to the tumor site and whether serosal layer was invaded. (4) Transverse mesocolon was moblized and transected at the lower edge of the pancreatic surface, merging with the posterior Toldt′s gap, and from lateral side to lower edge of the pancreatic body, merging with the lateral left paracolonic sulcus. Safety and short?term clinical efficacy of this surgical procedure was summarized. Results All the patients completed this procedure. During operation, 3 cases were complicated with organ injury, including 1 case of colon injury, 1 case of spleen injury and 1 case of pancreas injury. No operative death and conversion to open surgery was found. The average operation time was (147.5±35.1) minutes, the average intra?operative blood loss was (40.8±32.7) ml and the average number of harvested lymph node was (16.1±5.8), including (4.0±2.3) of positive lymph nodes. The first exhaust time after surgery was (41.3±20.6) hours, the fluid intake time was (1.5 ± 1.3) days, the postoperative hospital stay was (5.2 ± 2.3) days. Eight (5.1%) cases developed postoperative complications, and all were improved and discharged after conservative treatments. According to the TNM classification system, postoperative pathology revealed that 31 patients were stage I, 51 were stage II, 53 were stage III, 22 were stage IV. Conclusion The medial approach "four?step method" is safe and feasible, which can effectively decrease the operation difficulty of the laparoscopic mobilization of the splenic flexure.