Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy: how I do it

Abstract

Modern laparoscopy was introduced into the world of abdominal surgery in the late 1980's. Since then, laparoscopic colorectal surgery has quickly evolved, and it has become the preferred surgical approach for most patients with colorectal disease. A laparoscopic approach to right colon resection can be performed for a variety of benign and malignant conditions. Many studies have demonstrated the benefits of laparoscopic colorectal surgery which include faster patient recovery, smaller incisions with better cosmesis, decrease in postoperative pain, early return of bowel function, and shorter hospital stay. Large prospective, multicenter trials have proven its safety in colorectal cancer treatment with similar oncologic outcomes to open surgery. The procedure can be performed by the surgeon with an assistant/camera operator. Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy is now routinely performed at our center. Several techniques have been described for laparoscopic right hemicolectomy and they vary in terms of colon mobilization approach, blood vasculature control, anastomosis construction technique, and extraction site. In this article, we demonstrate our technique for laparoscopic right hemicolectomy in a patient who presented with colon cancer. Our sincere hope is that this video material will provide invaluable information to surgical trainees and young surgeons early in their surgical careers.