Laparoscopic colorectal surgery using low-pressure pneumoperitoneum combined with abdominal wall lift by placement of anchoring sutures around the camera port

Background This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of low-pressure pneumoperitoneum in laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Methods The authors designed low-pressure (8 mmHg) laparoscopy combined with abdominal wall lift simply by placement of anchoring sutures around the camera port. Results The operative indications were 176 colon cancers, 297 rectal cancers, and 45 benign diseases. The average blood loss was 92 ml (range, 20–1200 ml), and the mean operating time was 204 min (range, 23–525 min). Conversion to an open procedure was required in eight cases (1.5%). Two patients experienced intraoperative complications. The mean number of removed lymph nodes was 28.9 in the colon cancer cases and 23.1 in the rectal cancer cases. The mean length of resected specimen was 27.3 cm (range, 8.5–136 cm). Postoperatively, cardiopulmonary complications developed in five patients (0.9%). Conclusions Abdominal wall lifting by anchoring sutures around the camera port in addition to low-pressure pneumoperitoneum is a simple, safe, and effective method for laparoscopic colorectal procedure.