Preservation of left colic artery in laparoscopic colorectal operation: The benefit challenge

Table 1 Comparison of the patients’ preoperative clinical data

Group	High ligation group, n = 46	Low ligation group, n = 148	P value
Sex as male/female	28/18	90/58	0.897
Age in yr, mean ± SD	58.3 ± 10.1	60.4 ± 9.4	0.645
Tumor site			0.178
Sigmoid colon	16	46	-
Recto-sigmoid junction	13	34	-
Upper rectum	10	39	-
Lower rectum	7	29	-

SD: Standard deviation.

Table 2 Surgical data

Variable	High ligation group, n = 46	Low ligation group, n = 148	P value
Operative time in min, mean ± SD	210.0 ± 34.2	232.0 ± 28.3	0.482
Blood loss in mL, mean ± SD	145.0 ± 30.3	187.0 ± 50.3	0.165
Patients with positive lymph nodes, n	20	60	0.854
Number of lymph nodes dissected, mean	17.4	15.9	0.203
Patients with positive lymph nodes in the root of the inferior mesenteric artery, D253	2	5	0.372
Time to recovery of bowel function in d, mean ± SD	5.0 ± 1.8	3.0 ± 1.2	0.042

SD: Standard deviation.

Table 3 Comparison of postoperative complications, n (%)

Complication	High ligation group, n = 46	Low ligation group, n = 148	P value
Number of complications	12 (26)	26 (186)	0.436
Wound infection	4 (9)	13 (9)	0.286
Stress ulcers	2 (4)	6 (4)	0.316
Anastomotic fistula and stricture	3 (7)	5 (3)	0.045
Urinary dysfunction	3 (7)	2 (1)	0.029

Table 4 Postoperative recurrence

Recurrence site	High ligation group, n = 46	Low ligation group, n = 148	P value
Overall recurrence rate	11 (24%)	32 (21%)	0.607
Liver	3	9	-
Lung	4	11	-
Lymph nodes	2	6	-
Local recurrence (intestinal tract)	0	2	-
Peritoneum	2	4	-