Laparoscopic local excision of the cecum for cecal creeping tumor.

Laparoscopic surgery is now widely accepted because of its many benefits. We have successfully performed laparoscopic curative resection in 72 patients with colon cancer or polyps. Of these patients, seven with cecal creeping tumor underwent laparoscopic local cecum excision (cecectomy). The creeping tumor is often found in the rectum and cecum. It is extremely difficult to remove endoscopically because of its shape and size. In addition, the recurrence rate after endoscopic mucosal resection is high. Therefore, laparoscopic cecectomy was thought to be a suitable procedure for such cases. This procedure was performed intracorporeally by using an ENDO-GIA and was less invasive than the extracorporeal procedure. These tumors, which showed local cancer limited to the mucosa or tubular adenoma with severe dysplasia in pathological findings, were resected completely. All patients tolerated liquids 1 day postoperatively and were discharged within 5 days. Our experience suggests that laparoscopic cecectomy has the potential to be useful for cecal creeping tumors.