Laparoscopic-assisted total mesorectal excision and colonic J pouch reconstruction in the treatment of rectal cancer

Total mesorectal excision (TME) and colonic J pouch reconstruction has been widely practiced for mid- or low-rectal cancer. However, the laparoscopic version of TME has never been described. Five patients suffering from newly diagnosed mid- to low-rectal cancer were seen between March and July 1999. These five patients were selected for laparoscopic TME and colonic J pouch reconstruction because preoperative investigations revealed resectable tumor without extrarectal disease. There were three men and two women with a mean age of 61 years. The average body weight was 69 kg (range, 57-80). None of the patients had had previous abdominal operations. In all five patients, the tumor was located within 9 cm from anal verge. The average size of the main incision was 5 cm. All patients had a covering ileostomy at the end of the procedure. The mean operating time was 208 min; average blood loss was 158 ml; and mean hospital stay was 10.6 days. Three patients had Dukes' B disease and two had Dukes' C disease. The resection margins (proximal, circumferential, and distal) were all clear. There were no deaths or major complications. Two patients suffered from transient urinary retention. After ileostomy closure, the median frequency of bowel motion was twice per day at 6-month follow-up. Neither incontinence nor nocturnal soiling was reported. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first published series of such an operation. With good patient selection, laparoscopic-assisted TME and colonic J pouch-anal anastomosis is safe and feasible.