Robotic Rectosigmoid Resection with Totally Intracorporeal Colorectal Anastomosis (TICA) for Recurrent Ovarian Cancer: A Case Series and Description of the Technique.

BACKGROUND

Most patients with ovarian cancer relapse within 2 years. Prospective randomized trials, such as DESKTOP III and SOC-I, have shown the role of secondary cytoreduction in improving oncological outcomes in selected patients, when complete tumor resection is achieved. Recent retrospective series suggest that minimally invasive surgery is a feasible option in oligometastatic recurrences, such as rectal ones.

METHODS

Five patients with an isolated rectal recurrence infiltrating the bowel wall underwent a robotic rectosigmoid resection with totally intracorporeal colorectal anastomosis. The procedure began with retroperitoneal access to manage the vascular structures, followed by visceral resection with a minimally invasive approach. The standard steps of an en-bloc pelvic resection, including intracorporeal end-to-end anastomosis, were performed. The treatment data were evaluated.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 54 years, and their mean body mass index was 30. All patients had at least one previous abdominal surgery and 60% had high-grade serous ovarian cancer at their initial diagnosis. Their mean platinum-free interval was 17.4 months. Complete secondary cytoreduction was achieved in all cases, with histopathology confirming bowel infiltration. The mean procedure duration was 294 min, with an estimated blood loss of 180 mL. No intraoperative complications occurred. The mean hospital stay was 8 days. One patient had a grade 2 postoperative complication. The mean follow-up period was 14 months, with only one patient experiencing a recurrence at the level of the abdominal wall.

CONCLUSIONS

Robotic rectosigmoid resection is a viable option for complete cytoreduction in isolated recurrent ovarian cancer.