Short-term outcomes for intracorporeal vs. extracorporeal anastomosis in laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for colonic cancer-a prospective cohort study (ICEA-study).

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare short-term outcomes and 1-year incisional hernia rates between intracorporeal anastomosis (IA) and extracorporeal anastomosis (EA) in laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for management of right-sided colonic cancer. The primary outcome was the complication rate assessed by the comprehensive complication index (CCI). Secondary outcomes included time to bowel movement, length of hospital stay, 30-day readmission rate, early warning scores, and 1-year incisional hernia rate.

Method: This was a single-center, prospective cohort study. Patients with right-sided colonic cancer eligible for laparoscopic surgery with primary anastomosis were consecutively included. Patients included in the first period underwent EA, while those in the second underwent IA. Clinical data were collected during the hospital admission up to 30 days postoperatively. Complications were evaluated by the CCI. A routine 1-year CT-scan was used to assess hernias.

Results: One hundred three patients (51 in the EA and 52 in the IA groups) were included. Demographics were similar between the two groups. No significant difference in the CCI-score was found (EA: 17.9 (23.9) vs. IA: 15.0 (17.4), p = 0.85). The mean length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the IA group (EA 6.6 days, IA 3.9 days, p = 0.02). The groups had no significant differences regarding other outcomes, including hernia rates (p = 0.12).

Conclusion: Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with IA significantly reduced the length of hospital stay without increasing complication rates compared to EA.

Trial registration: The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05039762).