Clinical Trial: A Prospective Clinical Study for Laparoscopic D3 Dissection With Preservation of Left Colic Artery in Rectal Cancer

Study Status: Recruiting
Recruit Status: Recruiting
Study Type: Interventional




Official Title: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Study for Laparoscopic D3 Lymph Node Dissection With Preservation of Left Colic Artery in Rectal Cancer Surgery

Brief Summary: During surgery for rectal cancer, there is considerable controversy regarding the optimal level of ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery. Several studies have demonstrated the benefit of high ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery for the rectal cancer in order to achieve block dissection of lymph node metastases along the root of the inferior mesenteric artery. In contrast, other studies have shown a significant decrease in blood flow after inferior mesenteric artery clamping that may increase the risk of anastomotic ischemia and the long-term outcomes were not significantly different between high ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery and low ligation. So, a modified procedure was suggested to dissect fatty tissues and nodes in the angle between the inferior mesenteric artery and the left colic artery and the artery was ligated below the left colic artery. In the present clinical trial, the investigators perform laparoscopic surgery with this management strategy in rectal cancer. Thus, the goal of this study is to investigate the short-term and oncologic long-term outcomes associated with laparoscopic lymph node dissection around the inferior mesenteric artery with preservation of the left colic artery for rectal cancer.