Peritoneal spillage is not an issue in patients undergoing minimally invasive surgery for colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND: Surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasingly being performed via the minimally invasive route. However, reports of postoperative wound and port site seeding as well as peritoneal spillage have been worrisome. We investigated the risk of peritoneal spillage in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for CRC. METHODS: Cytology specimens were gained from the retrieval bag following intracorporeal resection and specimen retrieval using an endoscopic retrieval bag. Histopathologic examination of the cytology specimens was performed for the presence of malignant cells. RESULTS: Cytology specimens of 73 (34 female and 39 male) consecutive patients with a median age of 71 years were included for analysis. Advanced CRC in stages III and IV was present in 41% of the study population. Malignant cells were not found in any specimen. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic oncologic resection of colorectal cancer is not a risk factor for peritoneal spillage. Minimally invasive oncologic colorectal resection is safe without the increased risk of peritoneal carcinomatosis.