Clinical validation of 3D virtual modelling for laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision with central vascular ligation for proximal colon cancer

• Published in: European journal of surgical oncology 2024-11, Vol.50 (11), p.108597, Article 108597
• Main Authors: Kearns, Emma C., Moynihan, Alice, Dalli, Jeffrey, Khan, Mohammad Faraz, Singh, Sneha, McDonald, Katherine, O'Reilly, Jessica, Moynagh, Niamh, Myles, Christian, Brannigan, Ann, Mulsow, Jurgen, Shields, Conor, Jones, James, Fenlon, Helen, Lawler, Leo, Cahill, Ronan A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 3D virtual models; Aged; Colectomy - methods; Colon cancer surgery; Colonic Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Colonic Neoplasms - pathology; Colonic Neoplasms - surgery; Complete mesocolic excision and central vascular ligation; Computed Tomography Angiography; Female; Humans; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Innovation; Laparoscopic surgery; Laparoscopy - methods; Ligation; Male; Mesocolon - surgery; Middle Aged; Printing, Three-Dimensional
• ISSN: 0748-7983; 1532-2157; 1532-2157
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2024.108597

Laparoscopic Complete Mesocolic Excision (CME) with Central Vascular Ligation (CVL) in colon cancer surgery has not been broadly adopted in part because of safety concerns. Pre-operative 3-D virtual modelling (3DVM) may help but needs validation. 3DVM were routinely constructed from CT mesenteric angiograms (CTMA) using a commercial service (Visible Patient, Strasbourg, France) for consecutive patients during our CMECVL learning curve over three years. 3DVMs were independently checked versus CTMA and operative findings. CMECVL outcomes were compared versus other patients undergoing standard mesocolic excision (SME) surgery laparoscopically in the same hospital as control. Stakeholders were studied regarding 3DVM use and usefulness (including detail retention) versus CTMA and a physical 3D-printed model. 26 patients underwent 3DVM with intraoperative display during laparoscopic CMECVL within existing workflows. 3DVM accuracy was 96 % re arteriovenous variations at patient level versus CTMA/intraoperative findings including accessory middle colic artery identification in three patients. Twenty-two laparoscopic CMECVL with 3DVM cases were compared with 49 SME controls (age 69 ± 10 vs 70.9 ± 11 years, 55 % vs 53 % males). There were no intraoperative complications with CMECVL and similar 30-day postoperative morbidity (30 % vs 29 %), hospital stay (9 ± 3 vs 12 ± 13 days), 30-day readmission (6 % vs 4 %) and reoperation (0 % vs 4 %) rates. Intraoperative times were longer (215.7 ± 43.9 vs 156.9 ± 52.9 min, p=