Safety of Laparoscopic Pelvic Exenteration with Urinary Diversion for Colorectal Malignancies

Although the feasibility of laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer has been demonstrated, the safety of laparoscopic pelvic exenteration (PE) with urinary diversion for colorectal malignancies remains poorly studied. The present study aimed to examine the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic PE in patients with colorectal malignancies. Thirty-one consecutive patients who underwent anterior or total PE with urinary diversion for colorectal malignancies between July 2004 and April 2015 at our institution were included in the study. Perioperative outcomes were compared between patients undergoing laparoscopic (n = 13) and open (n = 18) PE. There were no conversions to open surgery. The estimated blood loss (930 vs. 3003 ml; P = 0.001) and total volume of blood transfusion (0 vs. 1990 ml; P = 0.002) were significantly lower in patients undergoing laparoscopic compared with open PE. R0 resection was performed in all patients. The operation time (laparoscopic, 829 min vs. open, 875 min; P = 0.660), complication rate (laparoscopic, 61.5 % vs. open, 83.3 %; P = 0.171), and postoperative hospital days (laparoscopic, 29 days vs. open, 33 days; P = 0.356) were similar in both groups. Three patients undergoing laparoscopic PE readmitted within 30 days due to ileus, although the rate of readmission did not differ significantly (laparoscopic, 23.1 % vs. open, 5.6 %; P = 0.284). Laparoscopic PE performed by experienced laparoscopic pelvic surgeons should be considered as a safe and preferred option in selected patients with colorectal malignancies, with a significant advantage in terms of reduced blood loss compared with open surgery.