Is Increased Peritoneal Seeding a Drawback After Using Intracorporeal Anastomosis in Laparoscopic Right Colectomy? A Propensity Score-Matched Study

Backgrounds: Though better short-term outcomes were frequently reported, differences in specimen parameters and the rate of subsequent peritoneal seeding between intracorporeal anastomosis (IA) and extracorporeal anastomoses (EA) for laparoscopic right hemicolectomy have not been analyzed. We aimed to compare the pathologic differences and oncological outcomes between these two approaches. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 217 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic right hemicolectomies from September 2016 to April 2018, and classified them into IA and EA groups, based on the approach used. Propensity score matching analysis was performed, after which 101 patients were included in each group. Results: The IA group had a longer operative time, shorter length of stay, shorter time to first flatus and tolerating a soft diet, and better pain scale scores at postoperative day 3. No inter-group differences in conversion, postoperative complication, mortality, or readmission rates were found. The IA group had a longer resected colon length (23.67 vs. 19.75 cm, p=0.010) and nearest resected margin (7.51 vs. 5.40 cm, p=0.010) for cancer near the hepatic flexure. There are comparable 3-year overall survival (87.7% vs. 89.6%, p=0.604) and disease free survival (75.0% vs. 75.7%, p=0.842) between IA and EA groups. The occurrence of peritoneal seeding was similar between the groups too. Conclusions: IA ensures better recovery and comparable complications to EA. The former also achieved a more precise tumor excision. It is a valid technique without compromising oncological outcomes.