Tips and tricks for transluminal specimen extraction and extra-abdominal sigmoid colon resection.

The purpose of this video is to demonstrate how to achieve adequate length and blood supply of the proximal colon for a perineal pull-through procedure, without splenic flexure mobilization during natural orifice specimen extraction. Key steps of the procedure include lateral mobilization of the colon, D3 lymph node dissection, preservation of the left colic artery, low ligation of the inferior mesenteric vein, ligation and washout of the distal bowel lumen, extra-abdominally proximal resection of sigmoid colon, purse-string sutures on the distal sigmoid colon, and an air leak test. Transluminal specimen extraction with extra-abdominal resection was found to be a cost-effective procedure with good cosmetic effects. Tension-free anastomosis was achieved by preservation of the left colic artery and low ligation of the inferior mesenteric vein. The purse-string sutures were placed on the proximal and distal bowel to avoid crossing the staples line. Transluminal specimen extraction with extra-abdominal resection required minimal manipulation intra-abdominally in comparison with other natural orifice specimen extraction techniques.