Objective: To explore the feasibility of laparoscopic with extralevator abdominoperineal excision (LELAPE group) for low rectal cancer.
Methods: From June 2011 to January 2013, 35 patients with low rectal cancer undergoing laparoscopic abdominoperineal excision at the Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Beijing Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Among them, 20 received laparoscopic abdominoperineal excision (LAPE group). There were 12 males and 8 females with an average age of (63 ± 6) years old. Another 15 patients underwent laparoscopic extralevator abdominoperineal excision (LELAPE group). There were 10 males and 5 females with an average age of (61 ± 7) years old. Operative duration, blood loss volume, time of postoperative out-of-bed activity, recovery of gastrointestinal function, removal time of drainage tube, edge of perineal position take out stitches time, postoperative hospital stay and complication rates were relative analyzed.
Results: There was no significant difference in operative time, time of postoperative out-of-bed activity, recovery of gastrointestinal function, removal time of perineal stitches, postoperative hospital stay and complication rates between 2 groups ((259 ± 52) vs (246 ± 55) min, (35 ± 13) vs (33 ± 9) d,(61 ± 25) vs (63 ± 20) h, (15.7 ± 2.5 ) vs (16.8 ± 2.9) d, (12 ± 3) vs (15 ± 4) d, 2/15 vs 3/20, all P > 0.05). Blood loss volume of perineal position in LELAPE group was less than those in LAPE group ((76 ± 31) vs (148 ± 36) ml, P < 0.05). Removal of perineal drainage tube in LELAPE group was earlier than that in LAPE group ((6.2 ± 1.6) vs (10.3 ± 1.8) d, P < 0.05).
Conclusion: LELAPE is a safe and feasible surgical approach for low rectal cancer.