Initial experience of laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision with D3 lymph node dissection for right colon cancer using Artisential(®), a new laparoscopic articulating instrument

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision (CME) with D3 lymph node dissection for the right colon is becoming popular, but still technically challenging. Several articulating laparoscopic instruments had been introduced to reduce technical difficulties; however, those were not practical. This study aimed to report the first clinical experience of using ArtiSential(®), a new laparoscopic articulating instrument in laparoscopic complete mesocolic with D3 lymph node dissection for right colon cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, single-institution, consecutive case study. From October 2018 to March 2020, a total of 33 patients underwent laparoscopic right hemicolectomy using ArtiSential(®) , a new articulating instrument. We compared the short-term outcomes of patients who underwent surgery using ArtiSential(®) (AG) to the conventional instrument (CG). RESULTS: In total, there were 33 cases in AG and 43 cases in CG. There were no significant differences in operation time (141.0 ± 22.5 vs. 156.0 ± 50.6 min, P = 0.09), mean estimated blood loss (46.8 ± 36.2 vs. 100.8 ± 300.6 ml, P = 0.31) and intra-operative and post-operative complications. However, the number of harvested lymph nodes was higher and the length of hospital stay was shorter in AG than in CG (32.6 ± 12.2 vs. 24.6 ± 7.4, P < 0.01 and 3.0 ± 1.2 vs. 4.1 ± 2.2 days, P = 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic CME with D3 lymph node dissection for right colon cancer using ArtiSential(®), the new articulating laparoscopic instrument is safe and technically feasible.