Characteristics and outcomes of colorectal cancer surgery by age in a tertiary center in Korea: a retrospective review

Purpose@#Colorectal cancer (CRC) occurs in all age groups, and the application of treatment may vary according to age. The study was designed to identify the characteristics of CRC by age. @*Methods@#A total of 4,326 patients undergoing primary resection for CRC from September 2006 to July 2019 were reviewed. Patient and tumor characteristics, operative and postoperative data, and oncologic outcome were compared @*Results@#Patients aged 60 to 69 years comprised the largest age group (29.7%), followed by those aged 50 to 59 and 70 to 79 (24.5% and 23.9%, respectively). Rectal cancer was common in all age groups, but right-sided colon cancer tended to be more frequent in older patients. In very elderly patients, there were significant numbers of emergency surgeries, and the frequencies of open surgery and permanent stoma were greater. In contrast, total abdominal colectomy or total proctocolectomy was performed frequently in patients in their teens and twenties. The elderly patients showed more advanced tumor stages and postoperative ileus. The incidence of adjuvant treatment was low in elderly patients, who also had shorter follow-up periods. Overall survival was reduced in older patients with stages 0 to 3 CRC (P<0.001), but disease-free survival did not differ by age (P=0.391). @*Conclusion@#CRC screening at an earlier age than is currently undertaken may be necessary in Korea. In addition, improved surgical and oncological outcomes can be achieved through active treatment of the growing number of elderly CRC patients.

Clinical outcomes of surgical management for recurrent rectal prolapse: a multicenter retrospective study

Purpose@#There are few reports on outcomes following surgical repair of recurrent rectal prolapse. The purpose of this study was to examine surgical outcomes for recurrent rectal prolapse. @*Methods@#We conducted a multicenter retrospective study of patients who underwent surgery for recurrent rectal prolapse. This study used data collected by the Korean Anorectal Physiology and Pelvic Floor Disorder Study Group. @*Results@#A total of 166 patients who underwent surgery for recurrent rectal prolapse were registered retrospectively between 2011 and 2016 in 8 referral hospitals. Among them, 153 patients were finally enrolled, excluding 13 patients who were not followed up postoperatively. Median follow-up duration was 40 months (range, 0.2–129.3 months). Methods of surgical repair for recurrent rectal prolapse included perineal approach (n = 96) and abdominal approach (n = 57). Postoperative complications occurred in 16 patients (10.5%). There was no significant difference in complication rate between perineal and abdominal approach groups. While patients who underwent the perineal approach were older and more fragile, patients who underwent the abdominal approach had longer operation time and admission days (P < 0.05). Overall, 29 patients (19.0%) showed re-recurrence after surgery. Among variables, none affected the re-recurrence. @*Conclusion@#For the recurrent rectal prolapse, the perineal approach is used for the old and fragile patients. The postoperative complications and re-recurrence rate between perineal and abdominal approach were not different significantly. No factor including surgical method affected re-recurrence for recurrent rectal prolapse.

Extraabdominal parasitic lipoleiomyoma

Extrauterine parasitic lipoleiomyoma is a very rare fatty tumor, with uncertain histopathogenesis. Although imaging studies play an important role in preoperative localization and diagnosis of lipoleiomyoma, a pathological evaluation is paramount for confirmation of diagnosis. We describe a case of a 49-year-old woman with a palpable mass in the right inguinal area. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis revealed a fluid- and fat-containing mass. Histopathological examination of the mass, which was successfully resected, confirmed the diagnosis of lipoleiomyoma. The patient was discharged on a postoperative day 2 without any complications.

Extraabdominal parasitic lipoleiomyoma

Extrauterine parasitic lipoleiomyoma is a very rare fatty tumor, with uncertain histopathogenesis. Although imaging studies play an important role in preoperative localization and diagnosis of lipoleiomyoma, a pathological evaluation is paramount for confirmation of diagnosis. We describe a case of a 49-year-old woman with a palpable mass in the right inguinal area. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis revealed a fluid- and fat-containing mass. Histopathological examination of the mass, which was successfully resected, confirmed the diagnosis of lipoleiomyoma. The patient was discharged on a postoperative day 2 without any complications.

Clinical characteristics and oncologic outcomes in patients with preoperative clinical T3 and T4 colon cancer who were staged as pathologic T3

Purpose@#Clinically suspected T4 stage colon cancer from a preoperative exam is often diagnosed as T3 stage colon cancer pathologically after surgery, raising concerns about understaging. The aims of this study were to compare the survival of clinical T3 and T4 colon cancer patients who had received a pathologic T3 stage diagnosis postoperatively. @*Methods@#Patients who were diagnosed with pathologic T3 stage colon cancer postoperatively were reviewed. Patients with clinically suspected T3 or T4 stage cancer on preoperative exam were enrolled in the study. We compared patient demographics and survival of the cT3 and cT4 groups. @*Results@#Out of the 536 patients with pT3 colon cancer, 503 patients were cT3 (93.8%) and 33 patients were cT4 (6.2%) preoperatively. The most common reason for suspected clinical T4 stage cancer was free perforation (78.8%). There were no statistically significant differences between the 5-year overall survival and the total 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) between the cT3 and cT4 groups; however, local recurrence was significantly higher in the cT4 group (local 5-year DFS: 98.6% vs. 84.0%, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed cT stage was associated with local recurrence, but the association was not statistically significant (P = 0.056). @*Conclusion@#Preoperative clinically suspected T4 stage colon cancer showed inferior local recurrence despite a postoperative pathologic diagnosis of T3 stage cancer. It is necessary to address the shortcomings of pathologic exams in the matter of the understaging of T4 colon cancer, and to reinforce the treatment for local control in patients with cT4 colon cancer.

Clinical characteristics and oncologic outcomes in patients with preoperative clinical T3 and T4 colon cancer who were staged as pathologic T3

Purpose@#Clinically suspected T4 stage colon cancer from a preoperative exam is often diagnosed as T3 stage colon cancer pathologically after surgery, raising concerns about understaging. The aims of this study were to compare the survival of clinical T3 and T4 colon cancer patients who had received a pathologic T3 stage diagnosis postoperatively. @*Methods@#Patients who were diagnosed with pathologic T3 stage colon cancer postoperatively were reviewed. Patients with clinically suspected T3 or T4 stage cancer on preoperative exam were enrolled in the study. We compared patient demographics and survival of the cT3 and cT4 groups. @*Results@#Out of the 536 patients with pT3 colon cancer, 503 patients were cT3 (93.8%) and 33 patients were cT4 (6.2%) preoperatively. The most common reason for suspected clinical T4 stage cancer was free perforation (78.8%). There were no statistically significant differences between the 5-year overall survival and the total 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) between the cT3 and cT4 groups; however, local recurrence was significantly higher in the cT4 group (local 5-year DFS: 98.6% vs. 84.0%, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed cT stage was associated with local recurrence, but the association was not statistically significant (P = 0.056). @*Conclusion@#Preoperative clinically suspected T4 stage colon cancer showed inferior local recurrence despite a postoperative pathologic diagnosis of T3 stage cancer. It is necessary to address the shortcomings of pathologic exams in the matter of the understaging of T4 colon cancer, and to reinforce the treatment for local control in patients with cT4 colon cancer.

Clinical Outcomes of Ileostomy Closure According to Timing During Adjuvant Chemotherapy After Rectal Cancer Surgery

PURPOSE: No guidelines exist detailing when to implement a temporary ileostomy closure in the setting of adjuvant chemotherapy following sphincter-saving surgery for rectal cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and oncological outcomes of ileostomy closure during adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with curative resection of rectal cancer. METHODS: This retrospective study investigated 220 patients with rectal cancer undergoing sphincter-saving surgery with protective loop ileostomy from January 2007 to August 2016. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 (n = 161) who underwent stoma closure during adjuvant chemotherapy and group 2 (n = 59) who underwent stoma closure after adjuvant chemotherapy. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in operative time, blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, or postoperative complications in ileostomy closure between the 2 groups. No difference in overall survival (P = 0.959) or disease-free survival (P = 0.114) was observed between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Ileostomy closure during adjuvant chemotherapy was clinically safe, and interruption of chemotherapy due to ileostomy closure did not change oncologic outcomes.

Early Systemic Failure After Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy for the Treatment of Patients With Rectal Cancer

PURPOSE: Distant metastasis can occur early after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in patients with rectal cancer. This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical characteristics of patients who developed early systemic failure. METHODS: The patients who underwent neoadjuvant CRT for a rectal adenocarcinoma between June 2007 and July 2015 were included in this study. Patients who developed distant metastasis within 6 months after CRT were identified. We compared short- and long-term clinicopathologic outcomes of patients in the early failure (EF) group with those of patients in the control group. RESULTS: Of 107 patients who underwent neoadjuvant CRT for rectal cancer, 7 developed early systemic failure. The lung was the most common metastatic site. In the EF group, preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen was higher (5 mg/mL vs. 2 mg/mL, P = 0.010), and capecitabine as a sensitizer of CRT was used more frequently (28.6% vs. 3%, P = 0.002). Of the 7 patients in the EF group, only 4 underwent a primary tumor resection (57.1%), in contrast to the 100% resection rate in the control group (P < 0.001). In terms of pathologic outcomes, ypN and TNM stages were more advanced in the EF group (P < 0.001 and P = 0.047, respectively), and numbers of positive and retrieved lymph nodes were much higher (P < 0.001 and P = 0.027, respectively). CONCLUSION: Although early distant metastasis after CRT for rectal cancer is very rare, patients who developed early metastasis showed a poor nodal response with a low primary tumor resection rate and poor oncologic outcomes.

Anastomotic Sinus That Developed From Leakage After a Rectal Cancer Resection: Should We Wait for Closure of the Stoma Until the Complete Resolution of the Sinus?

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to identify the clinical characteristics of an anastomotic sinus and to assess the validity of delaying stoma closure in patients until the complete resolution of an anastomotic sinus. METHODS: The subject patients are those who had undergone a resection of rectal cancer from 2011 to 2017, who had a diversion ileostomy protectively or therapeutically and who developed a sinus as a sequelae of anastomotic leakage. The primary outcomes that were measured were the incidence, management and outcomes of an anastomotic sinus. RESULTS: Of the 876 patients who had undergone a low anterior resection, 14 (1.6%) were found to have had an anastomotic sinus on sigmoidoscopy or a gastrografin enema before their ileostomy closure. In the 14 patients with a sinus, 7 underwent ileostomy closure as scheduled, with a mean closure time of 4.1 months. The remaining 7 patients underwent ileostomy repair, but it was delayed until after the follow-up for the widening of the sinus opening by using digital dilation, with a mean closure time of 6.9 months. Four of those remaining seven patients underwent stoma closure even though their sinus condition had not yet been completely resolved. No pelvic septic complications occurred after closure in any of the 14 patients with an anastomotic sinus, but 2 of the 14 needed a rediversion due to a severe anastomotic stricture. CONCLUSION: Patients with an anastomotic sinus who had been carefully selected underwent successful ileostomy closure without delay.

Current Status and Trends in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Surgery in Korea: Analysis of Data in a Nationwide Registry

PURPOSE: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Korea has been increasing in recent years, but accurate statistics about operations for IBD are lacking. The purpose of this study was to investigate the trends and current status of IBD surgeries in Korea. METHODS: Using a national database from the Korea Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, we analyzed data from patients who underwent surgery for Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis from January 2009 to October 2016. RESULTS: The mean number of patients who underwent surgery for Crohn disease was 791.8 per year. Colorectal surgery, small bowel surgery, and anal surgery were performed fairly often (31.2%, 29.4%, 39.4%, respectively), and laparoscopic surgery continued to increase, recently exceeding 30%. About 50% of Crohn patients used biologics before and after surgery, and those patients also underwent a relatively high rate of anal surgeries (44.2%). The mean number of patients who underwent surgery for ulcerative colitis was 247.6 per year. Colorectal surgery accounted for more than half of all operations, and laparoscopic surgery has been increasing rapidly, having been performed in about 60% of patients in recent years. The incidence of colorectal cancer in patients with ulcerative colitis was very high and increased rapidly during the study period, reaching about 80%. CONCLUSION: The number of patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for IBD in Korea has increased significantly. Biologics are actively used by patients with Crohn disease, with a high proportion of anal surgeries required. Many of the surgical indications for ulcerative colitis have shifted into colorectal cancer.

Analysis of reduced-dose administration of oxaliplatin as adjuvant FOLFOX chemotherapy for colorectal cancer

PURPOSE: An oxaliplatin-based regimen is the most common adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with stage II/III colorectal cancer, but many patients experience dose reduction or early termination of chemotherapy due to side effects. We conducted this study to verify the range of reduction with oncologic safety. METHODS: Patients with stage II/III colorectal cancer who received adjuvant FOLFOX chemotherapy were enrolled in this study. The total amount of oxaliplatin administered per patient was calculated as a percentile based on 12 cycles of full-dose FOLFOX as a standard dose. The cutoff values showing significant differences in survival were calculated, and the clinicopathologic outcomes of patient groups classified by the value were compared. RESULTS: Among a total of 611 patients, there were 107 stage II patients, and 504 stage III patients. At 60% of the standard dose of oxaliplatin, the patients in the dose reduction group were older (62 years vs. 58 years, P = 0.003), had lower body mass index (BMI) (23.1 kg/m2 vs. 24.0 kg/m2, P = 0.005), and were more exposed to neoadjuvant treatment (18.0% vs. 9.1%, P = 0.003) in comparison to the standard group. At 60% of the standard dose, there were no significant differences in 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) between the 2 groups (5-year DFS: 73.5% vs. 74.2%, P = 0.519; 5-year OS: 71.9% vs. 81.5%, P = 0.256, respectively). CONCLUSION: Patients with old age, low BMI, and more frequent exposure to neoadjuvant treatment tended to show lower compliance with chemotherapy. More than 60% dose should be administered to patients with stage II/III colorectal cancer as adjuvant chemotherapy to achieve acceptable oncologic outcomes.

Long-term Oncologic Outcomes of Obesity after Laparoscopic Surgery for Colorectal Cancer in Asian Patients

No abstract available.

Comparison of perioperative and short-term outcomes between robotic and conventional laparoscopic surgery for colonic cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE: Reports from several case series have described the feasibility and safety of robotic surgery (RS) for colonic cancer. Experience is still limited in robotic colonic surgery, and a few meta-analysis has been conducted to integrate the results for colon cancer specifically. We conducted a systematic review of the available evidence comparing the surgical safety and efficacy of RS with that of conventional laparoscopic surgery (CLS) for colonic cancer. METHODS: We searched English databases (MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library), and Korean databases (KoreaMed, KMbase, KISS, RISS, and KisTi). Dichotomous variables were pooled using the risk ratio, and continuous variables were pooled using the mean difference (MD). RESULTS: The present study found that the RS group had a shorter time to resumption of a regular diet (MD, -0.62 days; 95% CI, -0.97 to -0.28), first passage of flatus (MD, -0.44 days; 95% CI, -0.66 to -0.23) and defecation (MD, -0.62 days; 95% CI, -0.77 to -0.47). Also, RS was associated with a shorter hospital stay (MD, -0.69 days; 95% CI, -1.12 to -0.26), a lower estimated blood loss (MD, -19.49 mL; 95% CI, -27.10 to -11.89) and a longer proximal margin (MD, 2.29 cm; 95% CI, 1.11-3.47). However, RS was associated with a longer surgery time (MD, 51.00 minutes; 95% CI, 39.38-62.62). CONCLUSION: We found that the potential benefits of perioperative and short-term outcomes for RS than for CLS. For a more accurate understanding of RS for colonic cancer patients, robust comparative studies and randomized clinical trials are required.

Reduced-Port Laparoscopic Surgery for a Tumor-Specific Mesorectal Excision in Patients With Colorectal Cancer: Initial Experience With 20 Consecutive Cases

PURPOSE: Single-port plus one-port, reduced-port laparoscopic surgery (RPLS) may decrease collisions between laparoscopic instruments and the camera in a narrow, bony, pelvic cavity while maintaining the cosmetic advantages of single-incision laparoscopic surgery. The aim of this study is to describe our initial experience with and to assess the feasibility and safety of RPLS for tumor-specific mesorectal excisions (TSMEs) in patients with colorectal cancer. METHODS: Between May 2010 and August 2012, RPLS for TSME was performed in 20 patients with colorectal cancer. A single port with four channels through an umbilical incision and an additional port in the right lower quadrant were used for RPLS. RESULTS: The median operation time was 231 minutes (range, 160-347 minutes), and the estimated blood loss was 100 mL (range, 50-500 mL). We transected the rectum with one laparoscopic stapler in 17 cases (85%). The median time to soft diet was 4 days (range, 3-6 days), and the length of hospital stay was 7 days (range, 5-45 days). The median total number of lymph nodes harvested was 16 (range, 7-36), and circumferential resection margin involvement was found in 1 case (5%). Seven patients (35%) developed postoperative complications, and no mortalities occurred within 30 days. During the median follow-up period of 20 months (range, 12-40 months), liver metastasis occurred in 1 patient 10 months after surgery, and local recurrence was nonexistent. CONCLUSION: RPLS for TSME in patients with colorectal cancer is technically feasible and safe without compromising oncologic safety. However, further studies comparing RPLS with a conventional, laparoscopic low-anterior resection are needed to prove the advantages of the RPLS procedure.

The Long-term Outcomes of Endoscopic Stenting as a Bridge to Elective Surgery in Patients with Colorectal Cancer Obstruction as Compared with Emergency Surgery

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the short- and long-term outcomes between stent placement as a bridge to surgery and emergency surgery for obstructive colon cancer. METHODS: Patients who underwent surgery for left colon cancer and rectal cancer with total obstruction from September 2006 to October 2014 were enrolled. Data for the stent placement and emergency surgery groups were compared. RESULTS: Of the 67 patients with total obstruction, 53 patients were treated with stent placement and 14 patients were treated with emergency surgery. Significant differences were observed for surgical approach, type of operation, and combined resection. Use of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) was higher (88.6 vs. 42.9%, p<0.001) in the stent placement (SP) group, and combined resection (5.9 vs. 37.5%, p<0.001) was higher in the emergency surgery (EM) group. In the SP group, resection and anastomosis accounted for the largest proportion (92.5%) and in the EM group, Hartmann's procedure was most common (57.1%) (p<0.001). There were no significant differences in other operative outcomes or in postoperative courses. Five-year overall survival was 96.0 and 77.8% (p=0.311) in the SP and EM groups, respectively. Five-year disease-free survival for local recurrence in the SP and EM groups was 90.0 and 88.9% (p=0.904). CONCLUSION: Stent placement as a bridge to surgery can be performed safely and represents an alternative to emergency surgery with good short-term results. Stent placement as a bridge to surgery is also comparable to emergency surgery in long-term outcomes.

The clinical features and optimal treatment of anorectal malignant melanoma

Anorectal malignant melanoma (AMM) is a very rare and aggressive disease. The purpose of this article is to review the clinical features of AMM, to understand treatment options, and optimal therapy by reviewing pertinent literature. Traditionally an abdominoperineal resection (APR) sacrificing the anal sphincter has been performed for radical resection of cancer, but recently, wide excision of AMM is attempted since quality of life after surgery is an important issue. Some authors reported that there was no difference in five-year survival between the patient who underwent an APR and wide excision. The goal of both APR and wide excision was to improve survival with R0 resection. Adjuvant chemoradiation therapy can be performed to achieve an R0 resection. AMM shows very poor prognosis. At this time, research on AMM is insufficient to suggest a treatment guideline. Thus, treatment options, and a therapeutic method should be selected carefully.

Comparative study of oncologic outcomes for laparoscopic vs. open surgery in transverse colon cancer

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic resection for transverse colon cancer is a technically challenging procedure that has been excluded from various large randomized controlled trials of which the long-term outcomes still need to be verified. The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term oncologic outcomes for transverse colon cancer patients undergoing laparoscopic colectomy (LAC) or open colectomy (OC). METHODS: This retrospective review included patients with transverse colon cancer who received a colectomy between January 2006 and December 2010. Short-term and five-year oncologic outcomes were compared between these groups. RESULTS: A total of 131 patients were analyzed in the final study (LAC, 84 patients; OC, 47 patients). There were no significant differences in age, gender, body mass index, tumor location, operative procedure, or blood loss between groups, but the mean operative time in LAC was significantly longer (LAC, 246.8 minutes vs. OC, 213.8 minutes; P = 0.03). Hospital stay was much shorter for LAC than OC (9.1 days vs. 14.5 days, P < 0.01). Postoperative complication rates were not statistically different between the two groups. In terms of long-term oncologic data, the 5-year disease-free survival and overall survival were not statistically different between both groups, and subgroup analysis according to cancer stage also revealed no differences. CONCLUSION: LAC for transverse colon cancer is feasible and safe with comparable short- and long-term outcomes.

Relationship between the Severity of Diversion Colitis and the Composition of Colonic Bacteria: A Prospective Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Diversion colitis is the inflammation of the excluded segment of the colon in patients undergoing ostomy. It has been suggested that a change in colonic flora may lead to colitis; however, direct evidence for this disease progression is lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the severity of diversion colitis and the composition of colonic bacteria. METHODS: We used culture methods and polymerase chain reaction to analyze the colonic microflora of patients who underwent rectal cancer resection with or without diversion ileostomy. In the diversion group, we also evaluated the severity of colonoscopic and pathologic colitis before reversal. RESULTS: This study enrolled 48 patients: 26 in the diversion group and 22 in the control group. Significant differences were observed between the two groups in the levels of Staphylococcus (p=0.038), Enterococcus (p<0.001), Klebsiella (p<0.001), Pseudomonas (p=0.015), Lactobacillus (p=0.038), presence of anaerobes (p=0.019), and Bifidobacterium (p<0.001). A significant correlation between the severity of colitis and bacterial composition was only observed for Bifidobacterium (p=0.005, correlation coefficient=-0.531). CONCLUSIONS: The colonic microflora differed significantly between the diversion and control groups. Bifidobacterium was negatively correlated with the severity of diversion colitis.

Intraoperative Near Infrared Fluorescence Imaging in Robotic Low Anterior Resection: Three Case Reports

The recent introduction of an intraoperative near infrared fluorescence (INIF) imaging system installed on the da Vinci Si(R) robotic system has enabled surgeons to identify intravascular NIF signals in real time. This technology is useful in identifying hidden vessels and assessing blood supply to bowel segments. In this study, we report 3 cases of patients with rectal cancer who underwent robotic low anterior resection (LAR) with INIF imaging for the first time in Asia. In September 2012, robotic-assisted rectal resection with INIF imaging was performed on three consecutive rectal cancer patients. LAR was performed in 2 cases, and abdominoperineal resection was performed in the third case. INIF imaging was used to identify the left colic branch of the inferior mesenteric artery and to assess blood supply to the distal rectum. We evaluated the utility of INIF imaging in performing robotic-assisted colorectal procedures. Our preliminary results suggest that this technique is safe and effective, and that INIF imaging may be a useful tool to colorectal surgeons.

Feasibility and safety of laparoscopic resection following stent insertion for obstructing left-sided colon cancer / 대한외과학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic resection following the insertion of self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) for the treatment of obstructing left-sided colon cancer. METHODS: Between October 2006 and December 2012, laparoscopic resection following SEMS insertion was performed in 54 patients with obstructing left-sided colon cancer. RESULTS: All 54 procedures were technically successful without the need for conversion to open surgery. The median interval from SEMS insertion to laparoscopic surgery was 9 days (range, 3-41 days). The median surgery time was 200 minutes (range, 57-444 minutes), and estimated blood loss was 50 mL (range, 10-3,500 mL). The median time to soft diet was 4 days (range, 2-8 days) and possible length of stay (hypothetical length of stay according to the discharge criteria) was 7 days (range, 4-22 days). The median total number of lymph nodes harvested was 23 (range, 8-71) and loop ileostomy was performed in 2 patients (4%). Six patients (11%) developed postoperative complications: 2 patients with anastomotic leakages, 1 with bladder leakage, and 3 with ileus. There was no mortality within 30 days. CONCLUSION: The present study shows that the presence of a SEMS does not compromise the laparoscopic approach. Laparoscopic resection following stent insertion for obstructing left-sided colon cancer could be performed with a favorable safety profile and short-term outcome. Large-scale comparative studies with long-term follow-up are needed to demonstrate a significant benefit of this approach.