Laparoscopic extraperitoneal approach for lateral lymph node dissection for patients with metachronous lateral pelvic lymph node metastases following surgery for rectal cancer: a case series and short-term outcomes.

Background: There have been few reports of a totally extraperitoneal approach for laparoscopic lateral lymph node dissection (LLND) for patients with metachronous lateral pelvic lymph node metastases following surgery for rectal cancer. Therefore, this study reports the short-term outcomes of LLND via an extraperitoneal approach.

Methods: A total of 10 patients underwent LLND through a laparoscopic extraperitoneal approach in our hospital since October 2018.