Abstract

Background: The medial to lateral approach in laparoscopic colectomy offers several advantages, but also presents technical challenges. This study aimed to evaluate the primary outcomes of this approach for colon cancer.

Method: This retrospective study included 201 patients with colon cancer who underwent laparoscopic colectomy using the medial to lateral approach between July 2021 and December 2024.

Results: The mean age was 61.3±14.1 years, and males accounted for 53.2%. The mean BMI was 20.8±2.9 kg/m². Right hemicolectomy was performed in 37.4%, followed by sigmoid colectomy (32.8%), left hemicolectomy (14.4%), extended right hemicolectomy (12.9%), and transverse colectomy (2.5%). The mean operative time was 164.7±32.7 minutes, and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 8.6±2.7 days. The Clavien–Dindo classification recorded 7.5% grade I, 2.5% grade II, and 0.5% grade III. Anastomotic leakage occurred in 0.5% of cases. The mean number of harvested lymph nodes was 37.8±24.7 and a mean number of positive nodes was 1.5±3.1.

Conclusion: The medial to lateral approach in laparoscopic colectomy is a feasible, safe, and effective technique for colon cancer.