Open AccessA standardised and simplified technique for laparoscopic resection of the splenic flexure
Author(s) -
Marco Lotti,
Elia Poiasina,
Gabor Panyor,
Michele Marini,
M Capponi,
N Paderno,
Pietro Calcagno,
Eugenio Poletti,
Luca Campanati
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of minimal access surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 0972-9941
pISSN - 1998-3921
DOI - 10.4103/jmas.jmas_118_18
Subject(s) - medicine , splenic flexure , extracorporeal , surgery , colorectal cancer , resection , ligation , anastomosis , laparoscopy , cancer , colonoscopy
The splenic flexure is an uncommon location of colorectal cancer, being involved in 2%-3% of cases. The low chance of being engaged in resecting cancer of the splenic flexure can make it difficult for surgeons to build their learning curve and to achieve a reliable experience. As the majority of colectomies are still performed by low-volume surgeons, there is growing agreement that providing local services with adequate surgical education and training could be an effective strategy to improve outcomes and global health. Arming surgeons with simplified and easy-to-learn surgical techniques could be an important step of this strategy. A novel simplified technique for laparoscopic resection of the splenic flexure is presented, which combines laparoscopic mobilisation of the right colon with extracorporeal vascular ligation and bowel anastomosis.