ABSTRACT
Objective:To evaluate the clinical value of activated carbon nanoparticles for guiding lymphadenectomy in advanc-ing rectal cancer. Methods:Eighty rectal cancer patients who underwent laparoscopic curative resection for rectal cancer were divided into two groups:control group (40 cases) and experiment group (40 cases). The experiment group received carbon nanoparticle-labeled lymph nodes in surgery. The number of lymph nodes, lymph nodes≤5 mm in size, and positive lymph nodes, as well as the side effect of the procedure, were analyzed. Results:No complications were observed in the experiment group. The experiment group showed sig-nificantly higher values (P<0.05) than the control group for average number of lymph nodes (25.5 ± 8.78 vs. 16.05 ± 4.84), lymph nodes≤5mm in size (22.6 ± 8.25 vs. 13.65 ± 4.62), and positive lymph nodes (3.13 ± 4.14 vs. 1.35 ± 2.06). During operation, two dyed lymph nodes in two cases were found at the roof of the inferior mesenteric artery and along the side of the internal iliac artery. Dissec-tion was extended for these patients and the dyed lymph nodes were confirmed to be positive. Conclusion:Local injection of activated carbon nanoparticles around the tumor during surgical exploration was an effective, secure, and easy approach for guiding lymphade-nectomy in rectal cancer patients.