the study in application of laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection for treatment of low rectal cancer

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
VIETNAMESE MILITARY MEDICAL ACADEMY

PHAM VAN BINH
THE STUDY IN APPLICATION OF LAPAROSCOPIC
ABDOMINOPERINEAL RESECTION FOR TREATMENT
OF LOW RECTAL CANCER
Speciality: Gastrointestinal surgery
Code: 62 72 01 25
Ph.D THESIS ABSTRACT
HÀ NỘI - 2013
The thesis was completed in: Vietnamese Military Medical Academy
Scientific supervisors:
1. Assistant Professor, Ph.D: Nguyễn Văn Xuyên
2. Assistant Professor, Ph.D: Nguyễn Văn Hiếu
Thesis reviewer 1: Prof. HA VAN QUYET
Thesis reviewer 2: Assoc Prof. PHAM DUC HUAN
Thesis reviewer 3: Assoc Prof. TRIEU TRIEU DUONG
The thesis was defended at the Council of Military Medical Academy
at 13h30, 03/10/2013
Thesis can be found at:
1. National Library
2. Library of Military Medical Academy
Introduction
Rectal cancer is one of the common cancers, accounting for nearly a third of
the colorectal cancer. Morbidity and mortality of colorectal cancer tend to increase
on the world. Today, multidisciplinary treatment of rectal cancer includes surgery,
chemotherapy and radiotherapy in which surgery plays an important role.
For over two decades, laparoscopic surgery has clear advantages including less
postoperative pain, faster recovery, shorter hospital stay. However, there are some
questions: Could laparoscopic surgery achieve lymphadenectomy in oncologic

principle? What is survival, recurrence, metastasis rate? At the present, studies on
laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection under two aspects including
lymphadenectomy and postoperative outcomes on the world as well as in Vietnam
remain limited.
Due to the above issues, we implemented the study "The study in application
of laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection for treatment of low rectal cancer"
with 2 goals:
1. Study lymphadenectomy in laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection for
treatment of low rectal cancer.
2. Evaluate results of laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection (LAPR) for
treatment of low rectal cancer and some factors associated with survival.
New main scientific contribution of the thesis
Thesis is done at K Hospital – Biggest Cancer Center in Vietnam for
studying lymphadenectomy and evaluating the results of LAPR for treatment of
low rectal cancer.
The thesis reports lymphadenectomy results of laparoscopic surgery ensures
oncology principles through analysis of number of harvested lymph-nodes. The
average harvested lymph-nodes is 14.6 per patient. Among them, there are 5.5
mesenteric lymph nodes, 5.4 lymph nodes near tumor; 3.7 lymph nodes (LN) of
1
superior rectal artery. The overall rate of lymph node metastasis is 31.11%. Stage
N1 is 17.78%, N2a is 2.22%, and N2b is 11.11%. Metastasis rate of 1 LN station
was 14.1%, 2 LN stations is 9.6%, 3 stations is 7.4%. Patients treated with
preoperative radiotherapy have less harvested lymph-nodes and lower rate of
lymph node metastasis.
Thesis reports early results in term of surgery: average duration of surgery is
133 minutes, average blood loss is 13, 6 ml, accident rate is 1.48%, complication
rate is 2.8%, no open conversion surgery and no intraoperative and postoperative
death. The long- term results in terms of oncology is good. Average postoperative
survival rate is 33.3 months. There is no local recurrence and metastasis.

Preoperative radiotherapy, lymph node metastasis, stage of disease and age are
some factors related to postoperative survival rate.
STRUCTURE OF THE THESIS
The thesis consists of 123 pages: 2 introduction pages, 39 background pages,
19 pages for study methods, 24 pages for results, 37 discussion pages, 2 pages for
conclusion. There are 37 tables, 16 diagrams, 24 pictures, and 149 references,
including 30 in Vietnamese, 119 in foreign languages.
CHAPTER 1 – OVERVIEW
1.1. Anatomy application in rectal cancer surgery
1.1.1. Anatomical landmarks: The rectum is the last segment of the
gastrointestinal tract connecting with sigmoid colon at the third sacral vertebra and
ending at the edge of the anus.
1.1.2. Mesentery of rectum: Mesentery of rectum, fat fiber tissue is located within
the limits of the rectal muscle and visceral perineum of pelvis, covering 3/4
2
circumference of the rectum.
1.1.3. Nerve, blood vessels of the rectum:
The rectum is supplied by 3 main vessel bundles: superior rectal, middle
rectal, and inferior rectal artery.
Autonomic nerve control rectal secretions, motor nerves control movement
of anal sphincter.
1.1.4. The lymphatics of the rectum:
* Lymphatics of mesentery of rectum
* Lymphatics of ischiorectal cavity
* Lymphatics of rectal wall peritoneum.
Lymphatic drainage:
* Lymphatic vessels from superior half of rectum drain to para rectal nodes
and from there to inferior mesenteric and lumbar nodes
* Lymphatic vessels from the inferior half of the rectum Travel with the
middle rectal vessels to the internal iliac nodes Anastomose with the lymphatics of

the anal canal
1.2. Histopathology of rectal cancer
1.2.1. Gross appearance: ulcers, infiltration and other type.
1.2.2. Micro appearance:
Classification by the World Health Organization (WHO 2000):
Adenocarcinoma accounting for over 98%, carcinoid tumors, lymphoma,
mesenchymal tumors, GIST, Kaposi Sarcoma.
1.2.3. The natural progression of colorectal cancer:
Cancer cells spread along the gastrointestinal tract into the submucosal layer.
From primary tumor, cancer cells can spread to regional lymph nodes and distant
metastases to the liver, lungs, brain as well as invade nearby organs.
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1.2.4. Evaluating stage of rectal cancer
E. Dukes offer the common, simple staging system. In 1954, the AJCC
established TNM system for stage evaluation for most cancers.
1.3. Diagnosis of rectal cancer
1.3.1. Signs and Symptoms:
Abdominal pain, bowel habit change. Digital rectal examination is important
to assess rectal tumors.
1.3.2. Investigations:
* Colorectal endoscopy: biopsy to identify histopathology.
* Diagnostic Imaging: X-ray of the colon with radio-contrast agent has
switched to endoscopy, abdominal ultrasound to find out liver, peritoneal
metastasis. Endorectal ultrasound assess T stage and N stage. CT scanner is
accurate for T stage from 50% to 90%, for N stage from 70% to 80%. Pelvis
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluate T stage and N stage with a sensitivity
of 95%, a specificity of 90%. PET-CT find out early postoperative recurrence and
distant metastasis.
* CEA: Monitoring local recurrence and distant metastasis.
1.4. Treatment of rectal cancer

1.4.1. Surgery
1.4.1.1. Principles of radical surgery (R0)
* Remove entire primary rectal tumor.
* Remove invaded organs as well as metastatic lesions.
* Lymph nodes dissection.
1.4.1.2. Surgical types: depend on disease stage, patient condition, the ability of
the surgeon.
According to the nature of the treatment, the type of surgery:
* Radical surgery
4
* Pelvic exenteration surgery
* Palliative surgery
1.4.1.3 The open surgery of rectal cancer:
* Transanal tumor resection
* Low anterior resection
* Abdominoperineal Resection
* Surgery for complications of rectal cancer
1.4.1.4. The laparoscopic surgery of rectal cancer:
Today, with the perfection of surgery skills and endoscopic equipment, all
open surgery of rectal cancer is switched to laparoscopic surgery.
* Laparoscopic low anterior resection.
* LAPR.
* Hartmann Surgery.
* Sphincter preservation surgery.
1.5. Adjuvant treatment for rectal cancer:
* Chemotherapy: improving survival.
* Radiotherapy: reducing the incidence of local recurrence and improving
disease free survival, so multidisciplinary treatment have become the standard
treatment in rectal cancer.
1.6. Study situation of LAPR on the world and inVietnam

1.6.1. On the world
The number of LAPR studies are limited.
* In 2005, Aziz.O review literature from 1993 to 2004. There are 22 studies
with 2071 patients, only 8 studies mentioned laparoscopic lymphadenectomy in
LAPR.
* According to major report by Wiley Publishers in 2008, there are 33
clinical trials from 1988 to 2007 on 46 medical journals, among them 6 studies on
5
lymphadenectomy in LAPR, 12 studies on 5 year survival in LAPR with 3346
patients.
* Lourenco.T, Health Research Institute of Britain in 2008 review
laparoscopic surgery compared with open surgery on 4500 patients from 1997 to
2005 on the world. 12 studies mentioned lymphadenectomy but did not regard to
LAPR.
Some larger ongoing study on LAPR:
* Study of Japan Cancer Research Group will finish by 2014.
* European Colorectal Cancer Research Group will finish by 2017.
* Study of United States Cancer Surgeon Association is going to report in
2013.
1.6.2. In Vietnam
From 2003 to 2012, mainly focusing on perfecting surgical techniques such
as removal of entire mesentery of rectum, preservation of nerves and urogenital
fuction. Recently there have been some researches on LAPR. But these has not
really focused on the role of lymphadenectomy and postoperative results.
Thus LAPR still need further studies to confirm that LAPR is a standard
option in the treatment of low rectal cancer.
CHAPTER 2 - SUBJECTS AND METHODS
2.1. Study subjects: Patients with low rectal cancer at K Hospital from 01/01/2009
to 31/12/2011 underwent curative LAPR, follow up to 30/06/2012.
2.2. Research Methodology

2.2.1. Methods: prospective descriptive study (cross-sectional non-control).
2.2.2. The formula for calculating sample size: The minimum sample size was
calculated as following:
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n = (1.96) 2 x 0.056 x 0.944 / (0.05) 2 = 81.2 patients
According this above formula, minimum sample size are 82 patients.
2.3. The study targets: the clinical, pathological, investigation characteristics
2.3.1. The clinical characteristics
2.3.2. The pathological, investigation characteristic
2.4. LAPR and lymphadenectomy process
2.5. Assessment results
2.5.1 Lymphadenectomy results
* Total number of harvested lymph-nodes on 135 patients.
* The average number of lymph nodes per 1 patient (mesenteric lymph
nodes, lymph nodes near tumor, lymph nodes of superior rectal artery).
* Overall rate of lymph node metastasis, metastasis rate of LN stations, LN
stages.
* The average number of lymph nodes per 1 patient and lymph node
metastasis rate of patients with and without receiving preoperative radiotherapy
2.5.2 Early Results
* Operation time, estimated blood loss.
* The surgical complications: bleeding, urinary, intestinal damage.
* The postoperative complications: bleeding, intestinal obstruction,
infection, abscesses, bladder paralysis
* Time using IV or IM algenesthesia, bowel peristalsis, and length of
hospital stay.
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* Mortality due to surgery: in 30 days after surgery.
2.5.3. Delayed results and some related factors
2.5.3.1 The postoperative survival by Kaplan-Meier

Postoperative follow up every 3 months for first year, followed by every 6
months in next 2 years, and every year from the fifth year.
Results of treatment at the end of the study:
* Number of alive patients, died patient.
* Rate of local recurrence, distant metastasis, trocar holes recurrence.
* The median survival.
* The average survival at 6 months, 12 months, 24 months, 36 months.
2.5.3.2. Analysis on factors related to survival
* Age ≤ 60 years and> 60 years old.
* Disease stage.
* N stage.
* Preoperative Radiotherapy.
2.6. Data Analysis:
Data were collected from medical records. All the data is analyzed by Excel 5.0
and SPSS 15.0. Evaluating postoperative survival rate by Kaplan-Meier method.
Compare the differences between quantitative variants by T test, and categorical
variants by chi-square test with 95% accuracy (p <.05).
CHAPTER 3 – RESULTS
3.1. General Characteristics
* Age, sex: 135 patients with mean age 55.3. 69 male, 66 female. Rural: 98 -
Urban: 37.
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* The average time from onset of symptoms until having diagnosis is 3.8 ±
1.2 months, 14.07% of patients having a previous operative scar.
3.2. Clinical Characteristics
* Symptoms: abdominal pain, tenesmus, blood mixed with stool accounting
for 97.78%.
* Digital rectal examination: 1 to 3cm distance from tumor to anus
accounting for 94.81% , 68.89% tumors involved 1/2 to 2/3 of the circumference;
limited motion tumors accounting for 35.56%.

3.3. Investigation characteristics:
* The preoperative tests: blood count, biochemistry were normal range,
2.9% of patients have CEA level higher than 50ng/ml.
* Rectoscopy results: 1 to 3cm distance from tumor to anus accounting for
96.29% of patients, 98.52% tumors tumors involved 1/2 to whole of the
circumference; 54.8% to ulcerative tumor, moderate differentiated adenocarcinoma
accounting for 61.5%.
* CT scanners: 14.8% of patients were given CT scanners, it showed 40% of
patients having lymph node metastasis.
* Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): serosa invasive tumors accounting for
99.26% , lymph node metastasis rate was 27.4%, 27.41% of patients is stage III,
14.81% patients is stage IIB, and 57.78% for stage IIA.
* Endorectal Ultrasound: 18.5% of patients were done. 100% of patients is
stage T3, 40% patients had lymph node metastatic image.
* The histopathology results: 100% tumors are invasive, 97.04% tumors
have 1 to 3cm distance from tumor to anus, tumor size from 2 to 5 cm accounting
for 95.6%; serosa invasive tumors accounting for 57.78% , and T4 stage is 42.22%.
3.4. Treatment before and after surgery:
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35.55% of patients underwent preoperative radiotherapy, 42.22% of patients
received adjuvant chemotherapy.
3.5. Lymphadenectomy Results
Table 3.15: Average number of lymph nodes classified according to dissection
sites.
Radiotherapy No Radiotherapy Total
n
X
SD n
X
SD n

X
SD
Lymph nodes near
tumor
4
8
4.7 1.80 87 5.8 3.43 135 5.4 3.05
Mesenteric lymph nodes
4
8
4.7 1.79 87 6.0 2.62 135 5.5 2.44
Superior rectal artery
nodes
4
8
2.7 1.59 87 4.2 2.87 135 3.7 2.59
Total
4
8
12.1 3.0 87 16 5.6 135 14.6 5.3
Comment:
- The average number of lymph nodes per 1 patient is14.6 patients (group with
preoperative radiotherapy was 12.1 lymph nodes, without radiotherapy was16
lymph nodes).
- The average number of lymph nodes near tumor was 5.4 (group with
radiotherapy: 4.7, group without radiotherapy: 5.8), mesenteric lymph nodes was
5.5 (group with radiotherapy: 4.7, group without radiotherapy: 6.0), lymph nodes
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of superior rectal artery was 3.7 (group with radiotherapy: 2.7, group without
radiotherapy: 4.2).

Table 3:16: The rate of metastasis lymph node classified according to stations.
Metastatic lymph nodes
Number of patients
(n)
Percenta
ge %
Metastasis rate of 1 LN station 19 14.1
Metastasis rate of 2 LN stations 13 9.6
Metastasis rate of 3 LN stations 10 7.41
Metastasis rate (at least 1 in 3 stations) 42 31.11

Comment:
The overall rate of lymph node metastasis was 31.11%, in which 7.4% of patients
have metastatic lymph nodes in all three stations.
Table 3:17: The rate of lymph node metastasis
Histology Number of patients (n) Percentage%
No metastatic lymph nodes (N0) 93 68.89
From 1-3 positive lymph nodes (N1) 24 17.78
From 4-6 positive lymph nodes (N2a) 3 2.22
More than 6 metastatic nodes (N2b) 15 11.11
Total 135 100.0
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Comment: The rate of lymph node metastasis is 31.11%, Almost from 1-3 positive
lymph nodes (N1: 17.78%).
Table 3:18: Lymph node metastasis rate of patients with and without receiving
preoperative radiotherapy
Histology
Radiotherap
y
No

radiotherapy
Total
p
n % n % n %
N1/N2 9 18.8 33 37.9 42 31.11
<0.05
N0 39 81.3 54 62.1 93 68.89
Total 48 100.0 87 100.0 135 100.0
Comment: Lymph node metastasis rate of patients treated with preoperative
radiotherapy was 18.8% lower than other group (37.9%), the difference is
statistically significant with p < 0.05.
3.6. Early Results
* The average duration of surgery was 113 minutes (SD 20.87)
* The average blood loss was 13.6 ml (SD 12.21)
* Complications in operation: 1.4% (intestinal bladder, perforation), no open
surgery conversion.
* Time using IV or IM algenesthesia: ≤ 2 days.
* The time to return of bowel function was: 33.14 ± 4.4 hours.
* Postoperative Complications rate was low: 2.8%, 1 case must be operated
again due to postoperative bowel obstructions.
* The average hospital stay was: 7.38 days (SD 1.82).
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* There were no deaths due to surgery.
3.7. Long-term results and some factors related to survival time
Until 30/06/2012, 116 over 135 patients are alive (85.9%). There is no local
recurrence and distant metastasis, 19 patients were died (14.1%).
Table 3:28: The median overall survival
Mean (months)
n
X

SD 95% CI
Median overall survival
135 33.33 1.00
(31.37 –
35.28)
Comment: The median survival is 33.33 months.
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Chart 3.12: The median survival
Table 3:29: Overall survival 6 months, 12 months, 24 months, 36 months (Kaplan
- Meier)
Time Number of patients
(n)
Percentage%
6 months 116 99.23
12 months 108 95.80
24 months 90 82.11
36 months 36 73.33
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A number of factors related to survival time:
* There is no statisticaly significant difference between group of patients <
60 year old and group > 60 year old (p > 0,05).
* The median overall survival in group with lymph node metastasis was
28.42 months lower than group without lymph node metastasis (33.06 months) (no
statisticaly significant difference, p > 0.05).
* The median overall survival in group with preoperative radiotherapy was
33.34 months higher than those without preoperative radiotherapy (30.74 months),
statisticaly significant difference (p < 0.05).
* The median overall survival in group with stage III was 28.42 months
lower than group with stage II (33.06 months), no statisticaly significant difference
(p > 0,05).

CHAPTER 4 – DISCUSSION
4.1. General Characteristics
* Age and gender: results of the age and sex of this study are similar to other
recent studies.
* Geography factor (urban or rural areas) do not affect on the study results.
4.2. The clinical and investigations:
4.2.1. Clinical
* Time from onset of symptoms to hospital admission was 3.6 ± 1.2 months.
The others in Viet Nam was later (4.5 to 6 months).
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* Symptoms: abdominal pain, tenesmus, accounting for 97.78%. While other
authors report mucus stool, difficult defecation.
* Digital rectal examination: There are 48 patients with limited motion
tumors treated with preoperative radiotherapy. Efron reports accuracy of digital
rectal examination is 80%.
4.2.2. Investigation characteristics
* The hematological and biochemical tests is normal. This is similar to other
studies.
* CEA level increased in 30.4% of patients, only 4 patients (2.9%) are
higher than 50ng/ml. According to Vietnamese authors, this rate is from 36% to
68.8%. All authors have clear consensus about value of CEA for prognostic and
monitoring after surgery.
* CTscanner is not high value in evaluation T stage (25% to 80%), and N
stage (35% to 70%). Because of this weakness, the number of patients given
CTscanner was not many (14.8%).
* Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): According to many studies value of
MRI in evaluation T stage is 85% - 95%, and N stage is 84% . Among 135 given
MRI, 27.41% of patients with stage III, 72.59% patients with stage II, that reflects
the randomization of this study .
* Endorectal Ultrasound: Recent studies show that the diagnostic value of

endorectal ultrasound is 60% - 90%, N stage is 64% - 83% , especially in sphincter
assessment, accuracy up to 90%. However, the number of patients in this study
given endorectal ultrasound was still small (18.5%), so we do not comment much
on endorectal ultrasound.
4.3. Evaluating lymphadenectomy results of LAPR
Lymphadenectomy is a criteria in cancer surgery, it is an important
prognostic factor. In laparoscopy, how to lymphadenectomy in cancer principles:
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rectal filopressure, removal of rectal mesentery, pelvic lymphadenectomy?
Rectal filopressure: studies with two-position to tie off (origin of inferior
mesenteric artery and division of superior left colon artery) show results of
recurrence rate, distant metastatic rate and survival is not different in 2 groups.
Today, the cancer surgeon as Bleday at the University of Texas, Garcia-Aguilar in
California and Milsom have consensus to tie off at division of superior left colon
artery that is enough for LAPR. Our technique also follows this principle.
1982 Heald introduced the concept of Total mesorectal excision (TME) that
reduced relapse rate from 15% - 30% to 4%. This is an important change in the
surgery history of low rectal cancer. Laparoscopic TME that we do in our study
showed the same advantages as described by foreign authors.
Pelvic lymphadenectomy is still debate on the world today. Japan is the first
one in systematic pelvic lymphadenectomy, but the rate of genitourinary
complications such as in the study of Takahashi at Tokyo Institute of Cancer are up
to 40%. But the European-American authors such as McFarlane, Heald, Enker
conducted research, compared the results between the two groups with and without
pelvic lymphadenectomy and concluded that there is no different while
complication rate in lymphadenectomy group is up to 45%.
We agreed with the European-American authors, pelvic lymphadenectomy
only recommend for patients with pelvic lymph node metastasis on preoperative
MRI, or suspicion of pelvic lymph node metastases on intraoperative evaluation.
4.3.1. The number of harvested lymph nodes

Laparoscopic lymphadenectomy in LAPR has not been emphasized.
According to AJCC-2010, the number of harvested lymph nodes must be at least
12 new lymph nodes for evaluating N stage. Among 135 patients with low rectal
cancer in this study, the number of harvested lymph nodes are 1977, the average
number of lymph nodes per 1 patient is 14.6. (preoperative radiotherapy group is
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12.1; group without radiotherapy is16).
4.3.2. Metastasis lymph nodes classified according to stations
There is a century history of rectal cancer surgery, but maps of lymph node
metastasis still have been studied. Galandiuk in 2005, Pirro in 2008 reported 80%
of lymph nodes in rectal mesentery.
In this study, we obtained an average number of mesorectal lymph nodes
was 10.9 (lymph nodes near tumor was 5.4 and mesorectal lymph nodes was 5.5),
lymph nodes of superior rectal artery was 3.7. This result is similar to the foreign
authors.
Lymph node metastasis in rectal cancer also follow the principle of
lymphatic metastasis in cancer from the primary tumor to near stations and go
further. Our results also follow this principle, Metastasis rate of 1 LN station was
14.1% , 2 stations is 9.6%, 3 stations is only 7.41%, there is no skip metastasis .
Overall metastatic rate is 31.11%. Stage N1: 17.78%; N2a: 2.22%; N2b: 11.11%.
Almost studies in Viet Nam and on the world analyze overall metastatic rate
without detailed analysis on metastasis lymph nodes classified according to
stations and stage.
How preoperative radiotherapy influenced the rate of lymph node metastasis
in low rectal cancer is the subject of major concern in the world cancer conference.
The large study in Europe, Japan, the United States show the number of harvested
lymph nodes and the rate of lymph node metastasis reduce in patients with
preoperative radiotherapy. This study also shows that the the average number of
harvested lymph node in preoperative radiotherapy group was 12.1 nodes / patient
( near tumor 4.7, mesenteric lymph nodes 4.7, superior rectal artery 2.7), and

lymph node metastasis rate was 18%. The other group was 16 node/patient (near
tumor: 5.8 nodes, mesenteric lymph nodes 6.0 nodes; superior rectal artery : 4.2
nodes) and lymph node metastasis rate was 37.9%.
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4.4. Results of LAPR
4.4.1. Early Results
* The duration of surgery: reflecting the skill of the surgeon, the operating
time will decrease when the level of technical perfection increases. According to
Soper (2009) surgeons specializing in colorectal laparoscopic surgery spend 120-
278 minutes in LAPR. The largest study as COLOR in the UK or CLASSIC in
U.S. average laparoscopic surgery time is 140-180 minutes. The average duration
of surgery was 113 minutes, consistent with the study.
* The amount of blood loss: also vary across studies from 8.2 ml to 200 ml,
depending on surgical technique, surgical skills, as well as stage. In this study, The
average blood loss was 13.6 ml. Case - control studies reveal that open surgery lost
more blood than laparoscopy.
* Complications: we had two cases of intraoperative complications (1.4%)
small intestine and bladder damage were successfully treated with laparoscopy.
Large studies on the world report complication rate of about 6.1%, mainly
genitourinary injury.
* Postoperative complications of LAPR in CLASSIC study was 39%, Kim
is 21%, Lim was 17.1% , ours was 2.8%. Comparison of complication rate of
LAPR and open surgery on 36315 patients in 2010, Paun report that it is lower in
laparoscopic group.
* Switch to open surgery: Studies report conversion rate of LAPR is from
0% -15% (average 5.6%). In our study, there are 21 patients (14.7%) with previous
abdominal surgery, 2 cases of intraoperative complications but no conversion case.
Postoperative recovers: studies show clear advantages of laparoscopy
compared with open surgery in terms of postoperative pain, early bowel function,
shorten hospital stay Our study also is similar to such studies: Time using

algenesthesia is less than 2 days, time to return of bowel function was 33.14 hours,
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average hospital stay was: 7.38 days.
4.4.2. Long-term results and some factors related to survival time
Overall survival – Recurrence – Metastasis:
Sambasivan (2010) report 3 year overall survival is 86%, average overall survival
is 23 ± 12 months, local recurrence was 0%.
In series of 1057 patients, on 30 months follow up, Miyajima.N (2009)
report recurrence rate is 1%, 3-year disease free survival in stage I is 94.6%, stage
II is 82.1%, and stage III is 79.7%; no Trocar hole recurrence. According to Rosin
(2011), the recurrence rate of other authors range from 4.4% to 9% and 5-year
survival rate is 65% - 91%.
In our study, 1 year OS is 95.8%, 2 years OS is 82.11%, 3 years OS is
73.33%. Median overall survival is 33.33 months (SD1, 0). Local recurrence rate is
0%, no cases of distant metastasis or metastatic trocar holes.
A number of factors related to OS:
* Age: Almost studies on the world showed that group of patients > 60 year
old has a shorter survival than those < 60 year old. In our study, overall survival in
group of patients < 60 year old is 32.74 months versus 33.20 months in those > 60
year old. There is no signigficant statistical differences (p > 0.05).
* Lymph node metastasis: Almost studies report that lymph node metastasis
is an independent, important prognostic factor. We found that our study is
consistent with the other authors. The median overall survival in group with lymph
node metastasis was 28.42 months, those without lymph node metastasis was 33.06
months. There is no signigficant statistical differences (p > 0.05).
* Stage: local recurrence and survival are related to stage. Evidences show
that if patients are in advanced stage, local recurrence rate will be higher and
overall survival will be lower. In this study, patients in stage III group is also in the
group of lymph node metastasis, so overall survival in 2 groups is the same. This
20

means that the median overall survival in group with stage III was 28.42 months
lower than group with stage II (33.06 months). There is no signigficant statistical
differences (p > 0.05).
* Preoperative radiotherapy: Rectal cancer is a typical for multidisciplinary
treatment in cancer. Almost studies confirm the role of preoperative radiotherapy
in improving overall survival and reducing local recurrence rate. In our series of
135 patients, the median overall survival in group with preoperative radiotherapy
was 33.34 months higher than those without preoperative radiotherapy (30.74
months). The difference is statistically significant (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Study on 135 patients with low rectal cancer undergoing curative LAPR at K
Hospital from 01/01/2009 to 31/12/2011, we draw some conclusions:
1. LAPR ensures lymphadenectomy in oncologic principle:
* Total number of lymph nodes harvested was 1977. The average number of
lymph nodes harvested per 1 patient was 14.6 nodes.
* The average number of lymph nodes near tumor was 5.4, mesenteric
lymph nodes was 5.5, lymph nodes of superior rectal artery was 3.7.
* Lymph node metastasis rate was 31.11% (stage N1: 17.78%; N2a: 2.22%;
N2b: 11.11%).
* 14.1% of patients have metastatic lymph nodes in one station. Metastasis
rate of 2 lymph node stations is 9.6%. 3 lymph node stations is 7.4%
* Number of lymph nodes harvested as well as lymph node metastasis rate
of patients treated with preoperative radiotherapy was lower than other group.
(12.1 lymph nodes per patient and lymph node metastatic rate of 18.8% in
radiotherapy group vs16 lymph nodes / patient and lymph node metastatic rate of
21
37.9% in group without preoperative radiotherapy).
2. Results of LAPR and some factors related to survival time
* Early results:
The average duration of surgery was 133 minutes, the average blood loss

was 13.6 ml, The rate of intraoperative and postoperative complications was low
(1.48%, 2.8%.). No open surgery conversion. Analgesial injection was needed only
within the first postoperative 48 hours. Time to return of bowel function was 33.14
± 4.4 hours. The average hospital stay was 7.38 days. There were no deaths due to
surgery
* Long-term results and some related factors:
1 year, 2 years, 3 years overall survival rates are 95.8%, 82.11%, and
73.33%. Median overall survival was 33.3 months. There are no cases of local
recurrence and distant metastasis, trocar holes metastasis.
* A number of factors related to survival time:
Lymph node metastasis, preoperative radiotherapy, stage, age are some
factors related to overall survival. The median overall survival in group with lymph
node metastasis was 28.42 months lower than group without lymph node
metastasis (33.06 months), no signigficant statistical differences (p > 0.05). The
median overall survival in group with preoperative radiotherapy was 33.34 months
higher than those without preoperative radiotherapy (30.74 months), signigficant
statistical differences (p < 0.05). The median overall survival in group with stage
III was 28.42 months lower than group with stage II (33.06 months), no
signigficant statistical differences (p > 0.05). Overall survival in group of patients
< 60 year old is 32.74 months versus 33.20 months in those > 60 year old. There is
no signigficant statistical differences (p > 0.05).
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LIST OF PUBLICATIONS SHOWING OF THESIS RESULTS
1. Pham Van Binh, Nguyen Van Hieu, Nguyen Van Xuyen (2012) “Lymphadenectomy in LAPR for
treatment of low rectal cancer at K Hospital”, Vietnam Journal of Medicine, (1), p.11 – 13.
2. Pham Van Binh, Nguyen Van Hieu, Nguyen Van Xuyen (2012)
“Complications of laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer in our series of 377 cases at Hospital
K”, Vietnam Journal of Medicine, (1), p.69 – 71.
3. Pham Van Binh, Nguyen Van Xuyen (2011) “Laparoscopic TME for treatment of low rectal cancer
in our series of 90 cases”, Journal of Military Medicine, (36), p.91 – 94.

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