Comparison of short-term outcomes between totally laparoscopic right colectomy and laparoscopic-assisted right colectomy: a retrospective study in a single institution on 300 consecutive patients

Laparoscopic surgery has become the standard surgical approach for the treatment of colon cancer. However, the surgical procedure for right colectomy is not standardized. Selection between laparoscopy-assisted right colectomy (LARC) with extracorporeal anastomosis and totally laparoscopic procedures with intracorporeal anastomosis is still a hot topic. The aim of this study was to compare the short-term outcomes of totally laparoscopic right colectomy (TLRC) and LARC in the treatment of right colon cancer. This was a retrospective and single-center study conducted between January 2016 and December 2019 featuring 120 TLRC patients and 180 LARC patients following the principles of the CME. We then collated and analyzed the clinicopathological characteristics, operative characteristics, and short-term outcomes. The baseline characteristics were balanced between two groups. TLRC was associated with a significantly lower estimated blood loss (p < 0.01), a shorter incision length (p < 0.01). In terms of postoperative recovery, patients in TLRC group were better, as confirmed by less postoperative pain (p < 0.01), less rescue analgesic usage (p = 0.04), faster to flatus (p < 0.01), defecation (p < 0.01), oral intake (p < 0.01) and discharge (p < 0.01). Incidence of postoperative complications according to Clavien-Dindo classification system was also similar in both groups. Our data demonstrate that TLRC is technically safe and feasible. This technique could lead to a better cosmetic outcome, a less pain experience and a faster recovery of bowel function.