Laparoscopic lower anterior resection is equivalent to laparotomy for lower rectal cancer at the distal line of resection.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Procedures that involve resection of the distal rectum challenge the current limitations of laparoscopic technology, because of lack of compact articulating stapling instruments.

METHOD:

We improve the procedure with the aid of a Lap disk, an abdominal wall sealing device that was developed for hand-assisted manipulation. A linear stapler capable of changing its stop angle is inserted through the disk, and the rectum is transected by the disk during a second pneumoperitoneum.

RESULTS:

The transection line becomes equivalent to that obtained with laparotomy.

CONCLUSION:

This new technique made laparoscopic lower anterior resection possible to transect the lower rectum in the same way as is done with laparotomy.

• Authors: T Ichihara, Y Nagahata, H Nomura, S Fukumoto, T Urakawa, N Aoyama, Y Kuroda
• Journal: American journal of surgery (Am J Surg) Vol. 179 Issue 2 Pg. 97-8 (Feb 2000) ISSN: 0002-9610 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10773141 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Abdominal Muscles (surgery)
• Equipment Design
• Humans
• Laparoscopes
• Laparoscopy (methods)
• Laparotomy (instrumentation, methods)
• Pneumoperitoneum, Artificial
• Rectal Neoplasms (surgery)
• Rectum (surgery)
• Surgical Staplers