Minimally Invasive Surgery for Splenic Flexure Colon Cancer: State-of-the-Art
<p>The splenic flexure of the colon is one of the least frequently affected sites by colon cancer. However, when diagnosed, it presents a significant surgical challenge primarily due to its vascular anatomical variability. In fact, the splenic flexure of the colon originates from structures embryolo...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Book Chapter |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
IntechOpen
2026
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/1248060 |
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| Summary: | <p>The splenic flexure of the colon is one of the least frequently affected sites by colon cancer. However, when diagnosed, it presents a significant surgical challenge primarily due to its vascular anatomical variability. In fact, the splenic flexure of the colon originates from structures embryologically derived from the midgut and hindgut, such that a careful preoperative and intraoperative evaluation of the vascular anatomy is required to perform an adequate lymphadenectomy in cases of splenic flexure colon cancer. The surgical management of splenic flexure colon cancer is currently unstandardized. In addition to the significant lack of a shared definition of splenic flexure colon cancer that would allow for comparison across studies on the topic, there is extreme variability in the type of surgical procedure and lymphadenectomy performed. The few studies in the literature on the surgical management of splenic flexure colon cancer indicate that minimally invasive segmental resection of the splenic flexure of the colon, whether laparoscopic or robotic, and a lymphadenectomy focused on knowledge of the vascular anatomy and the site of the primary colon cancer are safe and effective in ensuring good short- and long-term outcomes. However, further well-designed studies are needed to reach strong conclusions that can be used to develop recommendations regarding the surgical management of splenic flexure colon cancer.</p> |
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| ISBN: | 978-1-80631-988-6 |
| DOI: | 10.5772/intechopen.1017035 |