Laparoscopic Right Colectomy with Intracorporeal Handsewn Anastomosis: Surgical Technique and Review of Literature

Intracorporeal anastomosis has gained increasing acceptance in minimally invasive colorectal surgery due to its association with improved perioperative outcomes compared with extracorporeal techniques. However, the role of intracorporeal handsewn anastomosis remains insufficiently explored in laparoscopic colorectal procedures. This study describes a standardized technique for a side-to-side handsewn intracorporeal ileocolic anastomosis following laparoscopic right colectomy and evaluates its safety and feasibility through a review of the relevant literature and institutional experience. The procedure is performed using a medial-to-lateral approach and a single-layer isoperistaltic handsewn anastomosis is constructed entirely intracorporeally. Over a three-year period, 68 laparoscopic right colectomies were completed using this technique, predominantly for malignant disease, all performed by a single surgeon. No anastomotic leaks or anastomosis-related complications, including bleeding, stenosis, or hematoma formation, were observed. Available evidence supports the advantages of intracorporeal anastomosis, including reduced surgical trauma, lower wound-related complications, faster recovery of bowel function, and comparable oncological outcomes, while data from robotic colorectal surgery suggest potential benefits of handsewn techniques in terms of hemostasis and anastomotic quality. Intracorporeal handsewn ileocolic anastomosis following laparoscopic right colectomy appears to be a safe and reproducible technique in experienced hands, warranting further prospective and comparative studies to define its broader applicability and long-term outcomes.