Two Cases of Single-Incision Laparoscopic Surgery for Sigmoid Colon and Rectal Cancer in Situs Inversus Totalis

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Situs inversus totalis (SIT) is a rare congenital disorder characterized by the complete inverted transposition of the thoracic and abdominal viscera. This anatomical variation complicates laparoscopic surgery, and there are currently no reports of single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) for patients with sigmoid colon cancer or rectal cancer with SIT.

CASE PRESENTATION: We performed SILS on 2 patients with sigmoid colon and rectal cancers who also had SIT. The first case involved a 64-year-old woman with sigmoid colon cancer. A 3.5 cm umbilical incision was made, and SILS was performed using a single-port surgical device with three 5 mm trocars placed in the incision. The sigmoid colon was resected with a linear stapler, which required switching from a 5 mm trocar to a 12 mm trocar. Laparoscopic anastomosis was performed using the double-stapling technique. The second case involved an 81-year-old man with dual cancers located in the sigmoid colon and lower rectum, 8 cm from the anal verge. The abdominal approach was performed using SILS, similar to the first case, along with a transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) from the perineum by 2 teams. Anastomosis was performed laparoscopically using a single-stapling technique. Neither patient experienced postoperative complications, and both remained free of recurrence at 42 and 7 months, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: SILS is a feasible approach for patients with sigmoid colon cancer or rectal cancer and SIT.