Robotic vs Laparoscopic D3-D4 Lymphadenectomy for Colorectal Cancer

July 27, 2023 updated by: National Taiwan University Clinical Trial Center, National Taiwan University Hospital

Robotic Versus Laparoscopic D3-D4 Lymphadenectomy for Patients With Advanced Colorectal Cancer… A Randomized Prospective Clinical Trial for the Comparison of Oncologic and Functional Outcomes

Approximately one third of patients with colorectal cancer are diagnosed as locally advanced stage with metastasis to N3 - N4 lymph nodes requiring a D3 - D4 lymphadenectomy. Our previous study has indicated that, by laparoscopic approach, the extended abdomino-iliac lymphadenectomy, the so-called D3-D4 lymph node dissection, could be performed with quick convalescence and similar oncologic efficacy for the treatment of advanced recto-sigmoid cancer with metastatic lesions over N3-N4 lymph nodes, as compared with traditional open surgery. In the present study, the investigators will further compare the oncologic and functional outcomes of robotic versus laparoscopic approach in performing such challenging surgical procedures for patients with advanced colorectal cancer requiring a D3-D4 lymphadenectomy through a randomized prospective clinical trial.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Approximately one third of patients with colorectal cancer are diagnosed as locally advanced stage with metastasis to N3 - N4 lymph nodes requiring a D3 - D4 lymphadenectomy. Our previous study has indicated that, by laparoscopic approach, the extended abdomino-iliac lymphadenectomy, the so-called D3-D4 lymph node dissection, could be performed with quick convalescence and similar oncologic efficacy for the treatment of advanced recto-sigmoid cancer with metastatic lesions over N3-N4 lymph nodes, as compared with traditional open surgery. In the present study, the investigators will further compare the oncologic and functional outcomes of robotic versus laparoscopic approach in performing such challenging surgical procedures for patients with advanced colorectal cancer requiring a D3-D4 lymphadenectomy through a randomized prospective clinical trial.

In the upcoming three years (2020/4/1-2023/3/31),consecutive recto-sigmoid cancer patients with metastasis to para- aortic lymph node will be screened and randomized to patient groups undergoing either robotic or laparoscopic D3-D4 lymph node dissection. The extent of D4 lymph node dissection includes extirpation of the extra-mesenteric lymphatic basin along bilateral common iliac arteries and veins, inferior vena cava, and abdominal aorta upward to the level just below the duodenal third portion and left renal vein, besides the traditional mesenteric dissection of paracolic (N1) lymph nodes, intermediate (N2) mesenteric lymph nodes, and lymph nodes around the root of inferior mesenteric artery (N3). The harvested lymph nodes were mapped and managed according to the Japanese guidelines. The metrics of surgical outcomes included: the number of harvested lymph nodes; time to recurrence of cancer after surgery; the length of operation time; blood loss; intra-operative and post-operative complications; and wound size. Functional recovery was evaluated by length of post-operative flatus passage, the restoration of urinary function, hospitalization, and degree of post-operative pain. A subjective-response standardized questionnaire was given to patients to assess disability, which included the number of days until return to partial activity, full activity, and work.

Since the current randomized prospective study in this field is still lack of, the investigators believe that this study will be of academic importance. And, clinically, the presented study can to help set up the standard operation procedures for such patient, and provide the level one evidence for National Health Insurance Administration in evaluating the reimbursement of HTA (high technology assessment) procedures.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

286

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

      • Taipei, Taiwan, 886
        • Recruiting
        • Jin-Tung LIANG
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Histopathologically proved adenocarcinoma located at upper rectum (above pelvic peritoneal reflection), recto-sigmoid junction, or distal sigmoid colon (generally 10 to 25 cm above anal verge). Only recto-sigmoid cancers above the peritoneal reflection were investigated because the lymphatic drainage of upper rectum and distal sigmoid colon was along the inferior mesenteric artery to the para-aortic area, and therefore the extent of surgical resection and lymph node mapping were standardized.
  • Clinically TNM stage III cancers.
  • Curative robotic or laparoscopic surgery.
  • American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) class I to III patients.
  • Age between 50 and 75 years. This was because patients >50 years old are generally deemed to be over the reproductive age, and the D3 dissection was considered too aggressive for patients older than 75 years.
  • Patients who are willing to receive minimally invasive surgical procedures to treat their rectosigmoid cancer.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Tumors located at other anatomic positions;
  • Emergency or palliative surgery;
  • Evidence of disseminated disease or adjacent organ invasion;
  • Primary tumor mass ≥8 cm in diameter;
  • Morbidly obese patients (body mass index ≥40 kg/m2);
  • Previous major surgery of lower abdomen.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
No Intervention: Laparoscopic surgery
The patients will undergoing laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of locally advanced colorectal cancer
Active Comparator: Robotic group
The patients will undergoing robotic surgery for the treatment of locally advanced colorectal cancer
The patient group undergoing robotic surgery for the treatment of locally advanced colorectal cancer

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
The time to recurrence of cancer after curative resection
Time Frame: Up to 3 years
The duration between the time of curative resection and the time to cancer recurrence
Up to 3 years

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
the number of dissected lymph nodes
Time Frame: An average of 7 days
The total numbers of lymph node harvested during the operation
An average of 7 days
The distribution of dissected lymph nodes
Time Frame: An average of 7 days
The total numbers of lymph node harvested in different lymph node area during the operation
An average of 7 days
Functional recovery
Time Frame: Up to 6 months
Functional questionnaire regarding fecal continence and bowel function will be completed by an assistant not aware of the randomization status of the patient right after completion of the manometric studies. Continence was recorded as Grade 1 (perfect continence), Grade 2 (incontinence of flatus), Grade 3 (occasional minor soiling), Grade 4 (frequent major soiling), and Grade 5 (total incontinence).
Up to 6 months
The overall costs of both minimally invasive surgical approaches
Time Frame: Through patients' discharge from hospital, an average of 7 days
The total medical costs including medication fee and equipment fee are recorded.
Through patients' discharge from hospital, an average of 7 days
Assessment of disability
Time Frame: 12 months
The time for the patients after the operation to resume partial activity, full activity, and return to work will be recorded to evaluate the disability.
12 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • Study Chair: Jin-Tung LIANG, PhD, National Taiwan University Hospital

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

June 19, 2020

Primary Completion (Estimated)

May 1, 2024

Study Completion (Estimated)

May 1, 2024

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

July 9, 2023

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 18, 2023

First Posted (Actual)

July 27, 2023

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

August 1, 2023

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 27, 2023

Last Verified

April 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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