Does 3D laparoscopic video technology affect long-term survival in right hemicolectomy for cancer compared to standard 2D? A propensity score study

Int J Colorectal Dis. 2023 Jan 10;38(1):6. doi: 10.1007/s00384-022-04297-2.

Abstract

Background: There are few studies focused on the short-term results of laparoscopic right hemicolectomy performed with 2D (two-dimension) or 3D (three-dimension) video technology and none on the oncologic effects. The aim of the study was to assess the long-term results of laparoscopic right hemicolectomy (LRH) with intracorporeal anastomosis using 3D or 2D video in patients with right colon cancer with at least three years of oncologic follow-up.

Methods: Data from patients undergoing laparoscopic right hemicolectomy (LRH) with intracorporeal anastomosis for cancer in an 11-year period (June 2008-June 2019) and ≥ 3 years of follow-up were prospectively collected. Surgical procedures were performed by two expert laparoscopic surgeons.

Results: 111 patients were included in the study: 56 (50.5%) in the 3D group and 55 (49.5%) in the 2D group. Tumor stage and number of lymph nodes harvested were similar. Overall and disease-free survival were not different in the two groups. Local recurrence occurred in none of the patients, and distant metachronous metastases were similar in the two groups. A propensity score weighting approach was used to account for potential confounding related to patients' nonrandom allocation to the 2 groups. The effects of the intervention on postoperative outcomes were assessed with a weighted regression approach.

Conclusions: Laparoscopic 3D technology allows similar oncological results as 2D vision in LRH with intracorporeal anastomosis. Larger prospective randomized studies might confirm these results in the long-term follow-up.

Keywords: Colon cancer; Follow-up; Laparoscopy; Survival; Three-dimension; Two-dimension.

MeSH terms

  • Anastomosis, Surgical / methods
  • Colectomy / adverse effects
  • Colectomy / methods
  • Colonic Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Colonic Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional
  • Laparoscopy* / methods
  • Propensity Score
  • Prospective Studies
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome