Ex Vivo Intra-arterial Indigo Carmine Injection After Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision

Ex Vivo Intra-arterial Indigo Carmine Injection After Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision

Background: An exact lymph node staging is essential in the treatment of rectal cancer.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of indigo carmine injection on the number of retrieved and positive lymph nodes after transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME).

Design: This is a retrospective, non-randomised study. Settings: This study was conducted at a tertiary hospital by a multidisciplinary team.

Patients: Between 2013 and 2019, patients undergoing transanal total mesorectal excision were analysed. Patients with indigo carmine injection (intervention group) were compared to those without (control group).

Interventions: Transanal total mesorectal excision was performed with or without ex vivo intra-arterial indigo carmine injection.

Main Outcome Measures: The number of retrieved and positive lymph nodes was the primary outcome measure.

Inclusion Criteria:

• elective, oncologic rectum resection in TaTME technique for proven or highly suspected rectal cancer.

Exclusion Criteria:

• abdominoperineal resection
• extended colon resection
• previous surgery of the rectum, the left colon or the mesocolon/-rectum
• patients rejecting retrospective data analysis