Efficient and Safe Method for Splenic Flexure Mobilization in Laparoscopic Left Hemicolectomy: A Propensity Score–weighted Cohort Study

Because methods of performing laparoscopic left hemicolectomy differ between surgeons, standardizing the procedure is crucial to reduce complications and secure good oncologic outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective hospital-based cohort study using a propensity score–weighted method. This study was conducted at the department of colorectal surgery in a tertiary teaching hospital between October 2007 and December 2017. The short-term and long-term outcomes of open and laparoscopic left hemicolectomy from 10 years of experience using a standardized 4-step laparoscopic procedure at one institution were compared. Short-term outcomes were postoperative morbidity and mortality. Long-term outcomes were disease-free survival and overall survival. RESULTS: We enrolled 564 patients who underwent open or laparoscopic left hemicolectomy for primary colon adenocarcinoma. The open surgery and laparoscopy groups had 357 and 207 patients, respectively. Compared with the open surgery group, the laparoscopy group had significantly shorter hospital stays (open vs. laparoscopy, 10 vs. 7 d, P<0.001), less postoperative morbidity (open vs. laparoscopy, 16.5% vs. 9.2%, P<0.001), and lower risks of superficial surgical site infections, lung complications, and gastrointestinal complications. No differences were observed between the groups in postoperative mortality (open vs. laparoscopy, 0.6% vs. 0.0%, P=0.23), disease-free survival curves (P=0.69), or overall survival curves (P=0.85). CONCLUSIONS: Our standardized 4-step technique of laparoscopic left hemicolectomy is more efficient, has fewer surgical complications, and yields better short-term and similar long-term oncologic outcomes compared with open surgery.