Long-term outcome of reduced-port laparoscopic surgery (single port surgery + 1 port) as a technical option in the patients with rectal cancer

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to clarify the oncological safety of reduced-port laparoscopic surgery (RPS) for the patients with rectal cancer, by assessing the long-term outcome. Methods A total of 63 selected patients with clinical Stage I-III (T1-3 and N0-2) rectal cancer located within 15 cm from the anal verge were enrolled in this study. They had undergone laparoscopic anterior resection of the rectum by RPS, i.e., a platform with three channels on a single port plus one port surgery. Results The median operation time and intraoperative blood loss were 272 minutes and 10 mL, respectively. The median number of harvested lymph nodes was 22. Additional ports were required in 8 patients (13%), and conversion to open surgery was needed in one patient (2%). Intra- and postoperative complications occurred in one (2%) and 12 patients (19%), respectively. The median postoperative hospital stay was 8 days. The median follow-up period was 58 months, and cancer recurrence occurred in 4 patients (6%). The five-year relapse-free and overall survival rates were 100% and 100% in the patients with pathological Stage I disease, and 84% and 91% in the patients with pathological Stage II/III disease, respectively. Conclusions In the selected patients with rectal cancer, anterior resection by RPS may be secure in technical and oncological aspect as well as multi-port laparoscopic surgery and a reliable surgical option.