Method of pedicle division during laparoscopic right hemicolectomy affects lymph node yield and short‐term outcomes

Background Several ways of performing laparoscopic right hemicolectomy (RHC) have evolved. The vascular pedicle can be divided into extracorporeal (RHC‐EC) or intracorporeal (RHC‐IC). It is not known whether vessel ligation during RHC‐EC is as central as during RHC‐IC. We compare these approaches in terms of pathological and short‐term clinical outcomes. Methods Patients undergoing elective laparoscopic RHC in a single centre (July 2013–September 2016) were identified. Data collection included operative details, length of stay, complications, specimen parameters including number and involvement of lymph nodes and recurrence. Results One hundred and sixty‐nine patients were included (94 RHC‐IC, 75 RHC‐EC). For caecal and ascending colon cancers, mesocolic width was greater after RHC‐IC than RHC‐EC (7.9 cm versus 6.6 cm, P