Effect of splenic flexure mobilization performed via medial-to-lateral and superior-to-inferior approach on early clinical outcomes in elective laparoscopic resection of rectal cancer.

Whether complete splenic flexure mobilization (SFM) is required remains a controversial issue and there are numerous approaches regarding the performance of this procedure.

To investigate the effect of SFM performed with a medial-to-lateral and superior-to-inferior approach on early clinical outcomes in laparoscopic resection of rectal cancer.

The SFM procedure was initiated by the ligation of the inferior mesenteric vein followed by dissection extending from the upper border of the pancreas to the splenic hilum through the gastrocolic space. The mesocolon was dissected in a superior-to-inferior and medial-to-lateral fashion and the presacral space was entered by dividing the inferior mesenteric artery. The procedure was completed by dividing all the splenocolic, phrenicocolic, gastrocolic, and pancreaticomesocolic ligaments.

A total of 43 patients were included in the study, comprising 26 (60.5%) men and 17 (39.5%) women with a mean age of 58.2 ±13.9 (range: 30-87) years. Of the 43 patients, 21 (48.8%) underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy and a diversion stoma was performed in 37 (86%) patients. No adjacent organ injury occurred intraoperatively. Mean operative time was 271 ±50 min and mean blood loss was 144 ±83 ml. One (2.3%) patient might have developed anastomotic leakage secondary to bevacizumab therapy postoperatively and developed no anastomotic stenosis in the follow-up period. Mean length of hospital stay was 9.3 ±4.3 days and no mortality occurred in any patient.

Splenic flexure mobilization performed via the superior-to-inferior and medial-to-lateral approach appears to be a safe and feasible procedure.