A Comparison between Open and Minimally Invasive Right Hemicolectomies in Patients with Locally Advanced UICC Stage III Colon Cancer: A Protocol for a Systematic Review and an Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis

Despite the development of new technologies and multimodal therapies, improving the prognosis of patients with UICC stage III right colon adenocarcinoma remains challenging. Several randomized controlled trials have shown the oncological non-inferiority of minimally invasive surgery compared to open surgery for colon cancer patients. However, for UICC stage III patients, carrying the highest risk for local recurrence and the worst survival, the evidence remains inconclusive. The aim of this systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis is to improve the scarce evidence regarding minimally invasive surgery for this subgroup of patients. Data from adult patients with pathologically UICC stage III right adenocarcinoma of the colon will be included. The intervention to be assessed is the minimally invasive right hemicolectomy in comparison with the open procedure. The primary outcome will be the 5-year overall survival. Secondary outcomes will include further long-term outcomes, such as disease-free survival, short term, and histological outcomes. Only randomized controlled trials and quasi-randomized controlled clinical trials will be included. The literature search will be conducted in the following databases: PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Web of Science. The review will be performed using the Cochrane methodology including GRADE tools. The findings of this meta-analysis will be important for choosing optimal treatment pathways and tailoring of surgical therapy in patients with locally advanced UICC stage III right colon cancer.