Robotic hemi-colectomy for ascending colon cancer in a patient with situs inversus totalis.

BACKGROUND

Situs inversus totalis (SIT) is a rare congenital anomaly in which the thoracic and abdominal cavity structures are completely opposite to normal. Performing robot-assisted surgery in these patients is difficult because of these anomalies. A few reports have described robot-assisted surgery for rectal cancer in patients with SIT, but no reports to date have described robot-assisted surgery for colon cancer.

CASE PRESENTATION: A 74-year-old female presented with abdominal pain and was diagnosed with ascending colon cancer and SIT. We carefully planned the surgical procedure and performed robot-assisted hemi-colectomy. Although we used unusual port placement, the operation was performed safely. The patient was discharged without any complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Robot-assisted surgery is safe and efficient for patients with anatomical anomalies.