Hemicolectomía derecha laparoscópica con abordaje suprapúbico: una técnica novedosa para el tratamiento del cáncer de colon / Suprapubic laparoscopic right hemicolectomy: a novel technique for the treatment of colon cancer

Antecedentes: la hemicolectomía derecha laparoscópica con abordaje suprapúbico (HDLS) y empleo de tecnología robótica o laparoscópica de incisión única ha sido recientemente informada. La utilización de la técnica estándar multipuerto en HDLS no se ha descripto previamente. Material y métodos: entre enero y agosto del año 2018 fueron intervenidos 4 pacientes, 3 mujeres y 1 hombre, con mediana de 64 años de edad y diagnóstico de adenocarcinoma de colon derecho. Resultados: el procedimiento se realizó exitosamente en todos los pacientes, con una mediana de tiempo operatorio de 210 minutos (r:170-240). Ningún paciente tuvo complicaciones y fueron dados de alta en una mediana de 4 días (r:3-5). Todas las piezas quirúrgicas tuvieron márgenes negativos y un recuento ganglionar > 12 ganglios. A 7, 5, 4 y 2 meses del seguimiento, los pacientes se hallan vivos y libres de enfermedad. Conclusión: la técnica de HDLS multipuerto es una alternativa sencilla, factible y segura para el tratamiento del cáncer de colon en pacientes seleccionados, con un resultado funcional, estético y oncológico favorable.

Background: The suprapubic approach for laparoscopic right hemicolectomy has been reported with robotic surgery or single incision laparoscopy. The use of the suprapubic approach for standard multiport laparoscopic right hemicolectomy has not been previously described. Material and methods: Between January and September 2018, four consecutive patients (three women and one man; median age: 64 years) with right-sided colon cancer underwent laparoscopic right hemicolectomy using the suprapubic multiport approach. Results: The procedure was successful in all the patients and mean operative time was 210 minutes (IQR: 170-240). There were no complications and were discharged on postoperative day 4 (IQR: 3-5). All the surgical specimens had negative margins and lymph node count was > 12 lymph nodes. All the patients are alive and free from disease at 7, 5, 4 and 2 months of follow-up. Conclusion: The suprapubic approach for standard multiport laparoscopic right hemicolectomy is an easy, feasible and safe alternative for the treatment of colon cancer in selected patients, with a favorable functional, esthetic and oncological result.

Resección total de mesorrecto robótica por cáncer de recto / [Robotic total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer].

Laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) has proven to be feasible and safe. However, it represents a major technical challenge, since it involves the dissection of the rectum in a confined space such as the bony pelvis using un-ergonomic surgical devices. This difficulty is accentuated in patients with distal tumors and high body mass index (BMI), in which the surgical margins and the hypogastric nerves may be affected. Therefore, robotic surgery aims to overcome these limitations that conspire against the mininvasive surgical approach of rectal cancer. We present an obese (BMI = 32 kg/m2) 82-year-old man with a history of smoking and prostate cancer that was recently diagnosed with a middle rectal adenocarcinoma at 9 cm from the anal verge. Rectal examination evidenced a mobile lesion. Computed tomography scan ruled out metastases and at the local staging by MRI, the tumor was considered as T3-N0 with free circumferential margins. Surgical treatment was decided and a hybrid technique was used combining an initial laparoscopic approach followed by the robotic TME. The patient had a full recovery and was discharged three days after surgery without complications. Pathological examination revealed a low-grade adenocarcinoma with mesorectal invasion, free circumferential and distal margins, and 24 negative lymph nodes (pT3-pN0-pM0/Stage II). Robotic TME was performed safely in an obese patient. It facilitated dissection maneuvers in a confined space with proper identification and preservation of the hypogastric nerves, allowing retrieving an intact mesorectum. Prospective randomized trials will define the role of this new technology.

Groove pancreatitis vs groove pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Report of two cases and review of the literature / Groove pancreatitis vs groove pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Report of two cases and review of the literature.

Groove pancreatitis (GP) is a rare form of segmental chronic pancreatitis affecting the groove area (anatomic space between the head of the pancreas, the duodenum and the common bile duct). Its clinical and radiological presentation may be similar to groove pancreatic adenocarcinoma (GPA). Nevertheless, treatment and prognosis are totally different. We report two cases of both GP and GPA and review the relevant aspects that may help to clarify the differential diagnosis between these two rare entities. The first patient is a 57-year-old man with a history of chronic alcohol consumption who presented with persistent abdominal pain. The CT-scan findings suggested GP. Due to the persistence of symptoms despite medical treatment, a pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed. Pathologic evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of GP. The second patient is a 72-year-old male who presented with cholestasis and weight loss. The tumor marker CA 19-9 was increased The CT-scan findings were consistent with duodenal dystrophy. In order to rule out malignancy a pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed. Pathologic evaluation revealed a pancreatic head adenocarcinoma (T3-N1-M0). GP is a rare entity that should be suspected in patients with a history of heavy alcohol consumption who complain of chronic abdominal pain and weight loss. Patients without a clear diagnosis even after a through imaging work-up, or those in whom symptoms are persistent in spite of medical therapy, should undergo surgical exploration.