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Letter to the Editor
©The Author(s) 2021. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Oct 14, 2021; 27(38): 6513-6514
Published online Oct 14, 2021. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i38.6513
Preservation of the superior rectal artery in laparoscopic colectomy for slow transit constipation: Is it really associated with better outcomes?
Rogério Serafim Parra, Omar Feres, José Joaquim Ribeiro Rocha
Rogério Serafim Parra, Omar Feres, José Joaquim Ribeiro Rocha, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto 14048900, Brazil
Author contributions: Parra RS wrote the manuscript; Feres O and Rocha JJR wrote and revised the manuscript; All authors contributed to the revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content, granted final approval of the version to be published and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.
Corresponding author: Rogério Serafim Parra, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Staff Physician, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto 14048900, Brazil. rsparra@hcrp.usp.br
Received: June 22, 2021
Peer-review started: June 22, 2021
First decision: August 19, 2021
Revised: August 20, 2021
Accepted: September 15, 2021
Article in press: September 15, 2021
Published online: October 14, 2021
Processing time: 111 Days and 9.9 Hours
Abstract

Few patients with slow-transit constipation refractory to conservative treatment can benefit with a subtotal colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis with the preservation of the superior rectal artery. In this letter to the editor some important issues were discussed. First, the study did not include a comparison group. Second, they did not present the functional results in the short or long term related to the bowel function of these patients after surgery. Finally, the authors showed that this surgical procedure was safe, and no cases of leakage were found.

Keywords: Laparoscopy; Colorectal surgery; Constipation; Colectomy

Core Tip: Subtotal colectomy remains a treatment option for few patients with slow-transit constipation (STC) refractory to conservative treatment. A careful patient selection is important to improve benefits and reduce risk of adverse outcomes. Laparoscopically assisted subtotal colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis and preservation of the superior rectal artery may be effective for STC and can be the best surgical option in these situation.