ISR is the most widely used anal-preserving operation for ultra-low rectal cancer. It can be divided into total ISR, subtotal ISR and partial ISR according to the resection range of internal sphincter. The advantage of ISR is that it can preserve the sphincter while ensuring the safety of oncology for ultra-low rectal cancer, representing the state of the art. However, it still needs to face the problem that the quality of life will decline due to poor postoperative anal function. The conformal sphincter-preserving operation (CSPO) is a functional anal-preserving surgery improved on the basis of ISR. It is superior to ISR in the postoperative anal function and patients' quality of life. So it can be a new choice for ultra-low rectal cancer.
Humans ; Quality of Life ; Rectal Neoplasms/surgery* ; Anal Canal/surgery* ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; Treatment Outcome

Intersphincteric resection (ISR) is the ultimate sphincter-preserving surgical technique for low rectal cancer. Accurate preoperative diagnosis and staging, appropriate selection of surgical approaches and technique, standardized perioperative management, and postoperative rehabilitation are the keys to ensuring the oncological effect and functional preservation of ISR. To date, there is still a lack of standardized guidance on the clinical implementation of ISR in China. Therefore, based on the latest evidence from literature, expert experience, and the intervention situation in China, the Chinese Society of Colorectal Surgery, Chinese Society of Surgery, Chinese Medical Association organized domestic experts in colorectal surgery to discuss and produce "Chinese expert consensus on intersphincteric resection for low rectal cancer (2023 edition)". This consensus focuses on definition, classification, related pelvic anatomy, operational techniques, postoperative complications, and long-term oncological and functional outcomes, and aims to guide the standardized clinical practice of ISR in the operation of low rectal cancer in China.
Humans ; Laparoscopy/methods* ; Consensus ; Anal Canal/surgery* ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Rectal Neoplasms/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome

Conformal sphincter-preservation operation (CSPO) is considered the effective surgical technique for preserving the sphincter in cases of low rectal cancer. Accurate preoperative diagnosis and staging, reasonable selection of surgical approaches and technique, standardized perioperative management, and postoperative rehabilitation are the keys to ensuring the oncological clearance and functional preservation of CSPO. However, there is currently a lack of standardized surgical procedure for implementing CSPO in China. Therefore, the Colorectal Surgery Group of Surgery Branch of the Chinese Medical Association,along with the Colorectal Cancer Committee of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association and the Anorectal Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association, gathered experts in colorectal surgery to discuss and establish this standardized surgical procedure of CSPO. This standard, based on the latest evidence from literature, expert experiences, and China national condition, focuses on the definition, classification, pelvic anatomy, surgical techniques, postoperative complications, and perioperative care of CSPO. It aims to guide the standardized clinical practice of CSPO in China.
Humans ; Anal Canal/surgery* ; Rectal Neoplasms/surgery* ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Pelvis ; Postoperative Complications

Intersphincteric resection (ISR), as an ultra-low sphincter-preserving operation, is widely used in clinical practice at present. ISR can allow some patients with very low rectal cancer to avoid the pain of anal resection while ensuring oncological efficacy. However, the procedure of ISR requires wider intersphincteric dissection which may cause nerve damage, and the removal of partial or total internal anal sphincter as an "inherent defect" of ISR can result in poor anal function postoperatively. Based on the in-depth understanding of regional anatomy and physiological function, the author proposed a new functional sphincter preservation operation for very low rectal cancer-conformal sphincter preservation operation (CSPO) which has achieved good outcome in clinical practice. This article will revisit the brief history of rectal cancer surgery and discuss the main mechanisms underlining the poor anal function after ISR. Based on the anatomical study of the pelvic floor and anal canal, CSPO can improve the postoperative anal function of very low rectal cancer patients by reducing the damage of the autonomic nerves, receptor corpuscles and muscle fibers in the intersphincteric space, retaining more dentate line and internal sphincter with the design of resection line of tumor lower border under direct vision, and elevating the anastomosis height. At the same time, the future treatment prospect of low rectal cancer is envisioned.
Anal Canal/surgery* ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Humans ; Rectal Neoplasms/surgery* ; Rectum/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome

In recent years, natural orifice specimen extraction surgery (NOSES) has been widely used in surgery of colorectal cancer. The rapid development of NOSES is mainly attributed to its own great advantages and values, including the reduction of surgical trauma, the acceleration of postoperative recovery and the reduction of adverse psychological reactions for patients. These advantages of NOSES are also important embodiment and perfect interpretation of the organ functional protection. Organ functional preservation is a hot topic in surgery today, and it is also an inevitable requirement for minimally invasive surgery. Essentially, NOSES and organ functional preservation are proposed in the same background, and the goals are highly compatible. NOSES is an important practitioner of organ functional preservation, and organ functional preservation is also the vane of the development of the theoretical system of NOSES. These two items complement each other and together constitute the important element in the development of modern minimally invasive surgery. In order to comprehensively discuss the relationship between NOSES and organ functional protection, we elaborate the important role and value of functional protection in NOSES from five key procedures of colorectal surgery, namely surgical approach, extent of resection, lymph node dissection, digestive tract reconstruction and specimen extraction.
Colorectal Neoplasms/surgery* ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures ; Humans ; Laparoscopy/methods* ; Natural Orifice Endoscopic Surgery/methods* ; Specimen Handling ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: Intraoperative localization of the ureter can contribute to accurate dissection and minimize ureteral injury in colorectal surgery. We aim to summarize a single center's experience of fluorescence ureteral visualization using methylene blue (MB) and explore its visualization efficiency. Methods: This is a descriptive case-series-study. Clinical data of patients who had undergone laparoscopic colorectal surgery and fluorescence visualization of the ureter in the Gastrointestinal Surgery Department of Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from March 2022 to May 2022 were retrospectively collected. Patients with incomplete surgery videos, renal insufficiency, or allergic reactions were excluded. MB was infused with 0.9% NaCl at 1.0 mg/kg in 100 mL of normal saline for 5 to 15 minutes during laparoscopic exploration. Imaging was performed using a device developed in-house by OptoMedic (Guangdong, China) that operates at 660nm to achieve excitation of MB. Clinical information, MB dosage, rate of successful fluorescence, time to fluorescence, operation time, blood loss, intraoperative blood oxygen levels, pathological staging, changes in renal function, and post-operative complications were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The study cohort comprised 27 patients (24 men and 3 women) with an average age of (60.25±16.95) years and an average body mass index of (21.72±3.42) kg/m². The dosage of MB was 0.3-1.0 mg/kg and the infusion time was 5-15 minutes. Fluorescence signals were detected in all patients. The median time to signal detection was 20 (range, 10 to 40) minutes after MB infusion. The range of intraoperative blood oxygen fluctuation averaged 2.5% (range, 0 to 7.0%). The median change in creatine concentration was -1.3 (range, -17.2 to 29.2) µmol/L. No patients had complications associated with use of MB. Fluorescence visualization of the ureter was very valuable clinically in two patients (thick mesentery, stage T4). Conclusion: MB is a safe and effective means of visualizing the ureter by fluorescence during laparoscopic colorectal surgery, especially when the procedure is difficult. MB in a dosage of less than 1 mg/kg can slowly infused for more than 5 minutes during laparoscopic exploration. During the infusion, attention must be paid to blood oxygen fluctuations.
Male ; Humans ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Ureter/surgery* ; Methylene Blue ; Retrospective Studies ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Colorectal Surgery ; Laparoscopy/methods* ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures

Minimally invasive surgery represented by laparoscopic technique has been carried out in China for more than 30 years. Gastrointestinal minimally invasive surgery has been widely recognized and popularized. Today, when the development of minimally invasive technology has reached the ceiling, the authors, who have experienced the innovation of minimally invasive gastrointestinal surgery for more than 30 years, review the gradual, unpredictable but inevitable characteristics of the innovation and development of minimally invasive surgery; figure out that standardized promotion and systematic training are the main reasons for the success of minimally invasive surgery in gastrointestinal surgery; realize that the application and promotion of new medical technology are inseparable from the support of solid clinical and basic evidence; recognize that the re-innovation after the popularization and standardization of gastrointestinal minimally invasive surgery and how to avoid involution are the driving force to seize the development momentum of minimally invasive technology. We make a multidimensional thinking on the development of gastrointestinal minimally invasive surgery, and objectively analyze its development track, in order to calmly rise to the challenges of future technological development.
Digestive System Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Forecasting ; Gastrointestinal Tract/surgery* ; Humans ; Laparoscopy/methods* ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/methods*

Anastomotic leakage (AL) has always been a persistent issue for colorectal surgeons. It is still difficult to reduce the incidence of AL despite the advances in technology and equipment. With the development of evidence-based medicine, increasing high-risk factors for AL have been identified. How to efficiently and systematically combine and quantify these isolated risk factors to provide a scientific early warning of AL in clinical practices and help surgeons in choosing the optimal prophylactic strategies, is of great significance for reducing the incidence of AL. There are generally two types of AL prediction models in colorectal surgery, including prognostic models (for preoperative and intraoperative AL prediction) and diagnostic models (for early warning and improving the early diagnosis rate of AL). Prophylactic strategies for AL include stabilizing the underlying diseases, improving anemia and hypoalbuminemia, choosing an appropriate operative time window, and emphasizing and improving anastomotic techniques (including choosing an appropriate size of stapler). However, a prophylactic ostomy is still the most common method for surgeons. However, how to reduce the morbidity of complications following prophylactic ostomy and how to avoid the conversion of the prophylactic stoma to permanent stoma need further study.
Humans ; Anastomotic Leak/etiology* ; Colorectal Surgery/adverse effects* ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures/adverse effects* ; Anastomosis, Surgical/methods* ; Risk Factors

The laparoscopic technique has been applied for over 20 years and its superiority of minimally invasive surgery has been enlarged after combining with 3D technology. Application of this minimally invasive technology is widely acknowledged in rectal cancer surgery, especially in ultra-low rectal cancer. The surgeons can have a good view of the structure such as nerves, fascia in pelvic cavity sufficiently with the help of high definition vision, and recognize that not only the configuration of anus should be preserved but also its function. Therefore, a higher requirement on operative skill is made to the surgeons. In this article, based on our experience and realization, we reconsider and review the key technology of laparoscopic anus-preserving surgery in ultra-low rectal cancer from the aspects of vessel handling, retrorectal space mobilization, pelvic autonomic nerve preservation and intersphincteric groove management, aiming to promote standard treatment, and at the same time, to result in benefits for more patients with ultra-low rectal cancer.
Anal Canal ; surgery ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Rectal Neoplasms ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the application value of the clearance of No.253 lymph nodes with priority to fascial space and preserving left colic artery (LCA) in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical proctectomy.

METHODSFrom August 2015 to August 2016, 97 consecutive middle-low rectal cancer patients underwent laparoscopic radical proctectomy using the clearance of No.253 lymph nodes with priority to fascial space and preserving LCA at Department of General Surgery, Tangdu Hospital. Among 97 patients, 45 were females , 52 were males, mean age was (64.3±5.5) years and mean BMI was (22.4±1.8) kg/m. Brief steps of this clearance: traditional medial approach was the commencement of the dissection at the membrane bridge line in front of iliac vascular bifurcation, then entering into the Toldt's space; superior rectal artery served as the top of the tent and the Toldt's space was extended as far as possible; blunt separation was developed caudally (reaching 2 cm below the sacral promontory), cephalad (reaching the lower part of the pancreas), left laterally (reaching Toldt's line), dextrally (reaching abdominal aorta); after giving priority to fascias space, from the root of inferior mesenteric artery, LCA was exposed and No.253 lymph nodes were dissected. This regimen was suitable for the rectal adenocarcinoma patients without distant metastasis.

RESULTSThere was no tension in the intestine and mesenteria after anastomosis in all the 97 patients. One patient received LCA ligation during the clearance, because of thinner LCA resulting in bleeding. The other 96 cases completed the clearance and operation successfully. The mean No.253 lymphadenectomy time was 11-27(17.1±5.3) minutes. The mean number of harvested No.253 lymph node was 0-6(4±2). The No.253 lymph nodes of 6 patients were positive. No.253 regional mesentery was complete in 95 patients. The total harvested number of lymph node was 11-26(17.3±5.3). Six patients with positive lymph nodes aged from 68 to 72 years old and all of them underwent TME operation 6-8 weeks after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. The mean operative time was 89-189(125±35) minutes. The mean estimated blood loss was 10.5-38.6(22.4±10.5) ml. The first exhaust time was 3.0-6.0(5.6±2.1) days. The mean time to extracting the drainage tube was 3.0-5.0(4.5±2.5) days. Anastomotic fistula appeared in 1 case and hemorrhage appeared in 1 case, and these 2 cases were cured by conservative treatment. No perioperative death occurred. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 3.0-10.0(3.6±2.6) days.

CONCLUSIONThe clearance of No.253 lymph nodes with priority to fascial space and preserving LCA in laparoscopic radical proctectomy is safe and feasible.

Aged ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; Male ; Mesenteric Artery, Inferior ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Rectal Neoplasms ; surgery