Intracorporeal Traction of the Rectum with a Beaded Plastic Urinary Drainage Bag Hanger: Comparison with Conventional Laparoscopic Rectal Cancer Surgery

Background Laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery with proper total mesorectal excision is a challenge for colorectal surgeons during trouble shooting. We used a beaded plastic urinary drainage bag hanger to encircle the rectum and clamp laparoscopic rectal transaction in this study. Methods Sixty-three patients with rectal cancer underwent laparoscopic radical rectal resection with curative intent between February 2015 and December 2015. Plastic beaded form urinary Foley catheter bag hanger was inserted intracorporeally via right lower 12-mm trocar, encircling the rectal tube distal to the rectal lesion followed by fastening. Thirty patients in the rectal resection group (28 laparoscopic, 2 robotic-assisted) using the commercial beaded plastic hanger for Foley catheter drainage were compared to 33 patients who underwent conventional laparoscopic rectal resection. Results Low anterior resection was performed for both groups. The Foley bag hanger group had less operation time (162.6 min vs. 187.3 min, p = 0.006) and fewer numbers of stapler cartilage (1.6 vs. 2.1, p = 0.001). Conclusions Intracorporeal ligation of the rectum with a beaded plastic Foley catheter bag hanger could be used as a valuable method for rectal handling and transaction in laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery.